Tag: Damanhuri Abas

They (PAP) wanted to disrupt our plans, but God have a better plan for us (SDP); Damanhuri Abas

“Greetings friends and thank you for coming. What a nice place.. this is. We didn’t plan for this.”

“They wanted to disrupt our plans, but God have a better plan for us.”

Epic round of applause.

That was how Damanhuri Abas started his speech at the SDP’s Campaign Kick-Off 2019 where he spoke on National and Malay issues. Close to 2 years ago if you remember, the man responded to an accusation that he uses religion to incite some ‘untoward things’. Yet today, this opposition politician who is driven by religion is standing on that stage.

You can watch more here.

At the end of his speech, Damanhuri recited a Malay pantun that he wrote sometime after joining politics.

tanah liat, asal usul ku
jasad dicorak, Tuhan yg satu
siapa gerangan, anak melayu
khazanah silam, sejarah lalu

pulau ujong, dikenal dahulu
bumi temasek, pantai membiru
kota singa, nama negeri ku
sergam indah, jasa ayah ku

tempat melabuh, pedagang lalu
gagah berani, laksmana melayu
armada cheng ho, pernah berlalu
duduk penjajah, haram bersatu

kini merdeka, warga negara ku
suratan takdir, kita disatu
bangsa cina, india melayu
minda penjajah, jadi seteru

pelbagai kaum, berkah yg satu
kibar bendera, bangga selalu
merah putih, lambang jiwa ku
kita rakyat, engkau dan aku

maruah dibela, bukti cinta ku
sumpah setia, ikrar sepadu
berbeza acuan, tetap bersatu
langit ku junjung, bumi pertiwi ku

[English translation]:

From clay, I’m made,
shaped, by the One
who is he, the Malay lad
untold heritage, history’s past

Tales of old, isle at the end
Temasek’s soil, with azure sea
lion city, my country’s name
awe and majestic, with my father’s hardwork

A port of call, to traders’ past
courageously brave, the Malay warrior
Cheng Ho’s armada, sailed nearby
colonials came, begins the divide

Free again, my countrymen
destiny’s fate, gathers us
we are Chinese, Indian and Malay
colonial’s divide, we detest and fight

Our racial mix, blessed by One
forever proud, flags raised high
red and white, embodies my soul
we are citizens, you and I

Honour protected, for you my love
loyalty promised, unity pledged
our molds differ, remains united
the sky above I raise, on this land of mine

February 28, 2019
Komentar: Isu Banning Mufti Menk

I have told myself to avoid commenting on specifics with regards to Islam in my posting but the recent resurfacing of the ban on Mufti Menk made me decide to do otherwise.

Firstly, Mufti Menk comes from Zimbabwe, a majority (87%) Christian country where he is the chosen Muslim leader recognized by the Government of the country and the majority Christian masses. Surely, if he is intolerant towards Christians as the ban seems to imply, he would not have continued as the Mufti of that majority Christian country.

I have personally met Mufti Menk when he visited and spoke in Singapore before. Personally i have never heard him prior to that chanced meeting although i have heard about him from others. He paid an unplanned visit to Irsyad while i was still working there. He was all praise for Singapore then. In fact he gave some advice to us to be grateful for having our Government. In his opinion the Government is just and have the people’s interest in mind. He was most impressed liked many visitors do of our physical landscape, its upkeep and cleanliness. These things he commented are more reflective of the real Islamic values being lived by collectively here and that most Muslim countries sadly failed miserably from doing likewise.

I was told by friends that his banning was supposedly driven by some minority Muslim groups who seemed more interested to demonise him for their own personal sectarian interest rather than about the issue of wishing Christians Merry Christmas during Christmas. That was just a convenient alibi.

It is really sad the the Government resorted to banning a well known popular Islamic preacher like Mufti Menk that i can confidently say majority Muslims in Singapore admired with his beautiful eloquent English language and respectful tolerant preaching, which many non-Muslim too who attended his talks can testify. By the way, his event here in Singapore was very well attended.

From what i heard, his advised to Muslims is misunderstood, as we may not want to only wish our Christian friends, neighbours, colleagues, etc., using the words Merry Christmas. This is because the celebration of Christmas for believing Christians is closely associated to the concept of the birth of the Christian deity (God) in the person of Christ which unfortunately goes against the way we Muslim accepts Jesus, only as one of the mightiest Prophets of God.

Having said this, we are most certainly encouraged to shower best wishes, gifts, etc., of all other kinds and in many more other acceptable ways on that Day to Christians if we chose to do so. I believe any Christian would fully understand, appreciate and not demand of Muslims to only wish them Merry Christmas just as it would be wrong of Muslims to demand non-Muslims to recite the supplication we do for one another invoking the name of Allah on Hari Raya.

Finally, we must learn to understand and tolerate differences as ultimately fundamental differences between religions do exist just as there are similarities that we would rather talk about. All these are done in the true spirit of respect towards each others freedom and choice of religion. This respect towards other religion is fundamental for Muslims as in Islam there is no compulsion in religion and religious diversity is recognized and we are demanded not to say or act towards other believes disrespectfully.

With regards to the matter of wishing one another on our own religious holy day, we should be more understanding and tolerant towards those who chooses to just wish us well or the best of health and spirit on that day or even those who chooses to remain silent, and able to live and let live rather than demand of one another to wish only as a believing devotee would.

May our Government reconsider the ban on Mufti Menk after seeking clearer informations and insights or even having a dialogue with him. May wisdom and reason prevail over shallow thinking and misguided parochial advise.

Source: Damanhuri Abas

November 1, 2017
Damanhuri Abas: Yes, I Am Driven By My Religion And Am A Rookie Politician

I have deleted my previous post and relinked to the original source post instead of the other link coming from another FB page.

Scary siah!!! Sereemmmm!!!

An article online (see below) apparently was posted accusing me of using religion to incite some untoward things. Firstly, the basic rule of academic rigour is to at least have the integrity to pay for a Malay writer if one intends to comment on an article in that language (jgn kasi malu melayu lah). I guess it suffice to merit the writer to its appropriate class for googling a lazy translation.

So let me reply.

1. Yes i m deeply driven by my religion. What is wrong with that? Our constitution recognised the importance of religion and defend the freedom and the right for anyone to profess and practice his or her religion unhindered. If you are not driven by religion surely something else must be driving you in life. It is in-built into our humanity to believe in something. In case the writer do not know, there is a nice little word called conscience to remind and guide a persons life. Even an atheist believe in his or her own atheism. We should respect that and not ridicule.

2. Now referenced to my post in Malay where I mentioned the principle in Islam that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught Muslims the value of striving to do good and forbid evil. There are 3 modes to do so he (the Prophet) explained. First with your hands (authority/power) if you have the means, second with your words (reminding/warning/etc.) if you can only do so, third with your heart (conscience) by dissociating yourself from it, the third being the least one can do he said, and, in the category of faith, is the weakest.

3. I have explained in my many other posts why I am of the opinion that this reserved PE is an elaborate government effort to prevent the people from voting a popular President who would be independent in performing his or her primary Presidential role of being the Guardian of our National reserves as well as to safeguard our meritocratic value for top public officers that the President is tasked to do. There are numerous opinion pieces that gave very clear arguments that mirrors my opinion. Even Ministers themselves are quoted to acknowledge its problem. One may disagree but in a democracy one have no right to deny another his right to intellectual discourse. Especially for such a dignified office as our President who everyone of us, swear upon our enlistment, to defend together with our constitution, with our life. But sadly no one can also deny someone of his choice to be less than intelligent.

4. The article seem so desperate and hell-bent to smear me as a religious firebrand (or fanatic) for living the values that I learned from my parents, believed in and preached to my children as a Muslim. This believe guides my principle and action in life such as responding to this Reserved PE episode, as well as made me stop a stray chicken I came across the other day from crossing a very busy road and killing itself.

5. The article stopped shot of discussing my other points which I will now elaborate. I mentioned the issue of fate and wisdom in responding to the Reserved PE. In my religion (Islam), fate is a concept that is part of the 6 articles of faith. First is believe in God, second is believe in the Prophets (Abraham, Moses, Jonah, Jesus, etc.), third is believe in the Books that God sent in history (Torah, Psalms, Bible, Qur’an, etc.), fourth is believe in the Angels (with their respective roles), fifth believe in Judgment Day (Heaven and Hell), sixth is believe in fate and predestination.

6. Fate and predestination for a Muslim is to believe that God provides, and everything that happened, do so, with God’s will (both good and evil) as God ultimately allowed it. Wisdom is our ability to then use the endowment of reason that God bestows upon us to analyse the lessons behind that which happened, both good and bad as both are lessons for our life journey towards the end goal of the hereafter. Simply put, don’t blame God for the dead chicken for your failure to act in time to stop it from crossing the busy road. Wisdom is to learn from it and not repeat the same mistake twice. God has given you the mind to think and act freely and you will be responsible for its consequences. For Muslims, consequences are both on earth and in our afterlife. On this basis, I placed my opinion urging us Muslims to reflect and think about what this Reserved PE is about.

9. I ended the post by asking ourselves to ponder about our believe as Muslims, that God provides. We are challenged to voice our opinion when we see a wrong in society and then feeling worried that it may ruffles someone feathers and may impact our livelihood if we do so.

10. Of course the article also took cheap swipes at me for my political rookie-ness. I don’t deny I am a rookie politician. It painted many unsavoury unsubstantiated allegation of my subversive intentions to use religion to further my political ambition. May God forgive whoever this (hungry) ghost writer is for his or her ignorance of who I am and what i have done in life for my fellow Malay countrymen challenged with all the problems listed in the article, before i joined politics. I wish the same was asked of our PAP government and their Malay MPs for such a poor performance to show for the same pathetic outcome of the Malay community for the last 52 years under their watch.

11. As usual it seems that the society boxing game knows no end to this supporters of the establishment. They only learned and know the Machiavellian art from their political masters. From their lazy responses, clearly they skipped the more important chapter on democracy.

12. We all love this country and have lived here and for a huge majority of us, this is only what we have. It is incumbent upon us to contribute ideas and work to improve our living here as part and parcel of our citizenry. Leaders and government are servants of the people and not our masters. Their position are trust held in check by us the people. The check and balance, which is a vital mechanism of governance is undermined today in our country and we as loyal patriotic citizens should be concerned and do our utmost to protect it.

13. Finally, i have expected this tirade to come as the political pattern of things here are just too predictable. But sad that it comes from someone who has no courage to put a name to what was written. But the low quality, my God, explains why the writer should be shameful of his or her own writing and would rather hide.

So this begedil (nice malay potato patty served in mee soto) has decided to honour this sloppy piece of cheap unauthored article the dignity of a response. I leave it to the readers to solicit any untoward evil fanatical islamic intent by me, for reminding fellow Muslims to live their values that we profess to believe in life. Our beautiful religion teaches us, the end never justify the means.

Source: Damanhuri Bin Abas

September 20, 2017
Damanhuri Abas: It’s Not About Anti-Halimah, It Is About The Election Process

The attempt to label this protest as anti-Halimah/Malay is misplaced. It was never about the person, it was about witnessing how the election process was systematically undermined, shortchanging citizen’s right to vote the best independent person for the vital role of Guardian of our National reserves as well as ensuring that meritocratic credentials are safeguarded in high public offices from potential conflict of interest situations.

While at HL, i met young concerned and disillusioned Singaporeans who asked important questions about race, race relations, racism, politics, reform, etc. Our exchanges sitting on the grass of HL revealed some interesting insights.

1. What and who is the Malay race?

Our race should never be what a committee decides. It is our ethnic identity inherited by birth and through organic cultural assimilation. No one should ever force an identity or race on anyone. After 52 years, society has evolved into a melting pot, creating a unique embracing Singaporean identity. This natural mix reflects social reality and is worthy of our celebration. However, when we politicise race, it gets messy very fast. This was clearly the case for this reserved PE when candidate’s race clearly do not fit the rigid pretentious race boxes and in the end was forced in anyway. It surely will be bruising. But its no fault of any candidate nor us, citizens. The blame lies squarely on those who imposed those rigid simplistic boxes on us to divide but then strangely claims it can unify.

2. After 52 years, why is it that the Malay community needed this costly tokenism at the expense of our public money?

Firstly, the community was never asked about it nor we wanted it. It was never our priority. The help that the Malay community needs is for the Government to stop boxing us in their box. If we had a box mentality to begin with, this country would never be multi-racial. The race boxes were legacies of Colonial past that the Government chooses to re-use instead of abandoning.

3. What do the Malay community want?

Fair chance to full unhindered access to equal opportunities in this country like every one else who are Singaporeans. Race based policies should stop immediately. Unjustified subliminal branding of Malays as inherently disloyal through unspoken security policies during National service must end. It is unjust and unfair that we as indigenous Malays are given a lower security clearance level by Mindef for no apparent reason explained for the last 52 years while new citizens from Mainland China, Myanmar, India, etc., etc., are given full or higher security clearance level than us. What have the Malays collectively done to inherit this blanket poisonous label?

4. Why are there not many Malays at this protest event?

The Malay leadership both in Government and in community have been systematically co-opted to be beholden and compliant. The outcome of which majority of the Malay community have seen and known only the PAP political leaders or friendly to PAP ones, throughout most of their lifetime. Any non-compliance to the status-quo is met with harsh consequences, ostracised and sidelined. Overtime, 52 years later, Malays are sceptical or suspicious of any non-Government related initiatives, they rather stay away and quietly support from a distance. For the Professionals, most are salaried employees and many are civil servants. So we see why the ‘endorsement’ of Mdm Halimah was fast and furious from the ‘community’. Sadly, the Malays by now are so used to singing from the same song-sheet, that they now do so, even without being asked. The rest, you can line the dots yourself.

5. How can Singapore achieve political reform?

The Government’s control on all aspects of life is dominant and almost total. This was achieved by design and numerous tweaking done overtime to guarantee that the political system and power structure remains unchallenged. Just think election process (GRC, gerrymandering, raising qualifying bars, short election campaign, changes to the constitutions and the parliamentary act), meritocracy vs elitism (SAP schools, nepotism and cronyism), ethnic quotas for HDB (low minority numbers used to justify GRC), the People’s Association (pro PAP), no media freedom, etc. We have a big daunting hazardous political mountain before us to climb. Every Singaporean must realise that for the opposition, public space is severely restricted, social media provides best outreach but its impact are small and limited. NGOs must participate in political related activism. Lawyers must raise their political game and no more remain a passive bystander. Finally, we need a unifying figure for this great reform effort, i.e. Dr Tan Cheng Bock or his equivalent.

Personally, it was an afternoon well spent for the sake of our collective future. May this effort be blessed by God.

Source: Damanhuri Bin Abas

September 18, 2017
SDP member, Damanhuri Abas: “How can that be when the contest is reserved for a single race?”

Do you agree with the author?

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“The 2 most vital and fundamental role of the elected Presidency are guardian of the national reserves and ensuring top public appointments undergo due diligence and has no conflict of interest. There are logical and genuine concerns that the newly walkover President may have potential conflict in fulfilling the above function. Until only recently, she is very close to the Government and has little to no track record of internally voicing any dissent against policies before while in Government. These concerns never featured much in public mainstream media prior to nomination day and the public patiently waited for the campaigning to be given the answer.

Had there been a contest, the public would have had the opportunity to hear this critical question of independence of the potential Presidential candidates to fulfil this incredibly important safeguard. Alas, instead of ensuring in the interest of the public, for a contest thus allowing for fair comparison on competency for financial acumen to fulfil one of the 2 vital roles, it seems the committee overrides the interest of the people by disqualifying 2 of the more financially experienced candidates, when they clearly had the option of allowing for it and had done so before in the last Presidential election. Meritocracy demands the best for the job is chosen.

This is sadly now unanswered with a no contest. We are instead focusing away into other credentials of the new President such as HDB living, first woman, tudung-wearing, almost a school dropout, etc., which are commendable but of less priority for the job. The anger of the public are not over baseless sentiments driven by racial biases. How can that be when the contest is reserved for a single race? The public is genuinely concern of the ability for the new President to have the necessary financial competence and independence required. A fair expectation for a patriotic, smart, informed and educated citizenry which should be respected and not be brushed aside as petty complaint and branded as divisive. It is an honest expression of feeling short-changed as well as our love for this country that the restless voice of the public is now raised to be heard.”

Source: Damanhuri Abas

September 14, 2017