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Tag: Islam

  • Chee Soon Juan: PAP Running Scared, Doesn’t Want Genuine Political Contest

    Chee Soon Juan: PAP Running Scared, Doesn’t Want Genuine Political Contest

    I have often pointed out that the PAP is never sincere in ensuring that there is genuine political contestation, it always raises the bar just when its opponents come close to beating it at its own game (think GRC, Cooling-off Day, Public Order Act, etc).

    The most recent example is the tweaking of the EP. Ostensibly, it is to ensure minority representation in the presidency. The reality is that alarm bells went off when Dr Tony Tan won by just 0.34%-point over Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

    As usual, the government goes through the exercise of conducting a “study” of the issue. “Expert” views are then sought to substantiate the recommendations in the study. http://www.todayonline.com/…/mixed-race-teams-presidential-…

    The process goes like this. Step 1: Frame the issue, set the parameters. Step 2: Gin up debate in the local media and through various panels (within prescribed parameters, of course). Step 3: Legislate it.

    Much time, effort and money is expended to legitimise a course of action on which the PAP has already decided. Remember the discussions about whether to have 9 or 12 NCMP seats or 3- or 6-member GRCs or which race Singaporeans prefer their presidents?

    As Noam Chomsky points out: “The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum.”

    What is troubling in this instance is that at a time when our country faces complex and enormous challenges – challenges where open and intelligent debate is so desperately needed – the PAP devices yet another scheme to further control the political process.

    There is a price, a steep one, to pay for all this.

     

    Source: Chee Soon Juan 徐顺全

  • Osman Sulaiman: PAP Must Stop Using Malay Community As Political Pawn, Cease Affirmative Actions

    Osman Sulaiman: PAP Must Stop Using Malay Community As Political Pawn, Cease Affirmative Actions

    If the PAP thinks that a Malay president is important periodically, and has always been confident of its party’s credibility and branding, then it should support a Malay candidate to contest in the coming presidential election as how it supported Tony Tan in the last election.

    Often times, the ones who made the Malays feel that they are of sub-par quality is the PAP itself. Creating GRCs and justifying it that without GRCs, a Malay candidate cannot stand on its own worthiness.

    GRCs were introduced in 1988. It was the last election that a Malay candidate stands in an SMC under the PAP banner. Mr Abdullah Tarmugi contested in Siglap SMC and garnered 73.7% of the popular votes. One of the highest achievers among the slates of candidates being fielded by PAP. It definitely showed no signs that a non-Chinese candidate cannot stand on its own merits.

    After the 1988 general election, no other PAP Malay candidates contested in an SMC. Between then and now, the PAP continues with its narrative that a Malay candidate cannot win an election in a Chinese majority electorate.

    I remembered when Masagos was promoted to a ministerial position, the PAP highlighted that the promotion reflected the progress of the Malays. It simply meant that the promotion was given on account that the community now deserves to have a minister while previously it didn’t as we are considered second best as compared to the non-Malays.

    Today, the PAP again uses the Malay community as a pawn for its political agenda. Knowing how close the results of the last presidential election between its endorsed candidate and the independent candidate Dr Tan Cheng Bock (TCB), the PAP is playing the racial cards again by tugging at the heart strings of the Malay community.

    It seems that it now wants a Malay figurehead to counter the possibility of Dr TCB winning the presidential election. And rules have to be tweaked to accommodate this.

    I will be elated if ever we were to have a Malay president again after Yusof Ishak. But there will be no honour in winning a contest when the favours are heavily tilted for a certain individual/race to win it. And when indeed a Malay president is elected under those conditions, then it will further affirm the unfounded theory that the Malay community cannot stand on its own calibre.

    I would rather we secure the presidential role fair and square. The PAP will need to walk the talk rather than just paying lip service. If it values the contribution of the Malay community and treats everyone as equal, show it by supporting a Malay candidate without tinkering with the system. The Malay community doesn’t need charity of this kind.

    The principle that all citizens are equal, regardless of race or religion, means we have to do away with affirmative actions.

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • S R Nathan Banyak Sokong Usaha Masyarakat Melayu

    S R Nathan Banyak Sokong Usaha Masyarakat Melayu

    MUIS mengirim surat takziah kepada isteri dan keluarga mendiang Encik Nathan.

    MUIS melahirkan rasa “kesedihan yang mendalam di atas pemergian seorang pemimpin yang sangat dihormati”.

    Ia juga menganggap Encik Nathan sebagai “Presiden berjiwa rakyat” dan pemergian beliau merupakan satu kehilangan besar kepada negara.

    Menurut MUIS, mendiang Encik Nathan menghadiri banyak acara yang dianjurkan masyarakat Islam.

    Ini termasuklah inisiatif Cabaran Presiden Beriani Amal yang dipeloporinya.

    Dalam laporan berikut, Pengerusi Masjid Khalid, Encik Allaudin Mohamed berkongsi pengalamannya dalam menyediakan beriani amal itu.

    “Encik Nathan kalau pasal beriani, cakap di mana ada jual beriani, kata orang sedap sahaja, dia hendak cuba.Kalau dia makan beriani ada sistem dia sendiri, rasa nasinya dulu, apabila sudah hidu aromanya, letak masala, lepas tu campur daging. Apabila semua sudah cukup, baru makan dengan acarnya. Selagi ada beriani di rumah dia, di peti sejuk, nanti dia akan minta ‘Ada lagi beriani Allaudin?’,” Encik Allaudin memberitahu BERITAMediacorp.

    Selama 16 tahun, Encik Allaudin adalah ‘orang kuat dapur’ yang memasak beriani untuk acara tahunan Beriani Amal.

    Walaupun Encik Nathan tidak lagi menjadi Presiden, Pengerusi Masjid Khalid ini pastikan setiap bulan beliau akan menghantar sebungkus makanan kegemaran Encik Nathan itu ke rumahnya.

    Di sebalik hidangan istimewa ini, sebenarnya tersirat satu lambang.

    Lambang Beriani Amal Cabaran Presiden ini, beliau membuka satu ruang untuk masyarakat kita. Masjid ini bukan satu tempat untuk orang Islam sahaja.

    Selama berinteraksi dengan mendiang Encik Nathan, Encik Allaudin menyifatkannya sebagai seorang yang peramah, mempunyai budi pekerti yang tinggi dan sentiasa prihatin terhadap setiap lapisan masyarakat.

    “Selalu pesanan beliau adalah untuk masyarakat kita dan agama. Akhir-akhir ini berapa kali beliau bercakap mengenai agama sebab terdapat pergolakan Islam di dunia sekarang, beliau banyak prihatin dalam masyarakat Islam Singapura. Satu cerita yang beliau bilang dengan saya, “Allaudin, orang Melayu ini orang paling baik dan mereka senang. Mereka orangnya ‘simple’, tapi orang Melayu ini ada kekuatannya yang kita tidak nampak, cuma mereka terlampau baik jadi mereka tidak menggunakan kekuatan yang ada pada mereka itu untuk mempertengahkan kemahuan mereka.

    “Mereka lebih berkompromi. Mereka selalu mengalah, dan cari jalan yang lebih baik. Itu satu budi pekerti pada orang-orang Melayu yang lain masyarakat tidak ada. Pesanan beliau dengan saya, dan keluarga saya, bila saya bawa anak-anak saya, dia akan bicara tentang persekolahan. Tiap kali. Mesti mahu belajar pandai-pandai, kita dulu mak bapak tidak pergi sekolah, sekarang mesti pergi sekolah pandai-pandai. Jangan malas. Pendidikan adalah jalan menuju kejayaan dan menaik taraf masyarakat,” tambah Encik Allaudin.

    Tambah Encik Allaudin, kehadiran mendiang Encik Nathan dalam acara-acara kemasyarakatan seperti acara Beriani Amal menunjukkan komitmen dan penghargaan beliau kepada masyarakat Islam Singapura, sekali gus membina sebuah masyarakat penyayang.

    Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

  • Meet Anisa Hassan – Great Women Of Our Time 2016 Finance & Commerce Nominee

    Meet Anisa Hassan – Great Women Of Our Time 2016 Finance & Commerce Nominee

    The premature birth of Anisa’s eldest daughter prompted her career switch. “The ungodly hours of shiftwork destabilised my life,” shares the former Channel NewsAsia broadcast journalist turned award-winning entrepreneur. “Becoming a mother changed my perspective about what’s really important to me,” adds the mum-of-two, who took a two-year hiatus to focus on family and to think things through. In March 2004, Anisa gave birth to her second child, then flew off to US to complete a month-long training in preparation for the franchise business she had decided to embark on. It’s Just Lunch Asia, an upscale match-making agency for busy professionals, was launched in July 2004. Now 12 years on, her company has matched thousands of singles worldwide, and arranged over two million dates. Not one to rest on her laurels, the business-savvy Anisa has also authoured two e-books about dating, and has recently launched Oobat, a range of doctor-developed health supplements which use traditional jamu as the key ingredient.

    “Entrepreneurs are creators…
    We create solutions for problems that have not been overcome or effectively addressed. The entrepreneurial journey is long, winding, and very interesting. Be prepared to play full out, even when success is not apparent.”

    “Writing a book allows me to synthesise my ideas…
    And express them in a manner that can reach and benefit more people. I write to give people hope and optimism, and help create possibilities where all they see is the end of the rope.”

    “I look up to a lot of people, especially the self-made women…
    I love to read about success stories, and how these women overcome odds to get to the pinnacle of their careers or chosen businesses. One day, I hope to become an inspiration to the world. It’ll be exciting to see how this kampong girl emerges on the other side.”

    The Great Women Of Our Time 2016 is presented by Skin Inc and co-sponsored bySwarovski.

     

    Source: www.womensweekly.com.sg

  • Abdillah Zamzuri: S R Nathan Was President Who Understood Different Cultures

    Abdillah Zamzuri: S R Nathan Was President Who Understood Different Cultures

    CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE PRESIDENT OF SINGAPORE, SR NATHAN

    I’ve had a brief encounter with the President, the year was 2006/7. I was performing for the Inter Religious Circle Harmony Nite concert and His Excellency was in attendance as the Guest-Of-Honour.

    On that day, I had forgotten to bring my Songkok (Malay headgear) and had worn my Baju Melayu to perform on stage without a songkok.

    After the event, His Excellency went around on stage to shake hands with each and every single performer and when he came to me, he asked, “Mana Songkok?” (Where’s your songkok?). I told him that I had forgotten and then he went on to say, “Kan tak cantik. Tak complete” (Now not nice. Not complete).

    He was a man who respected different cultures and understood very well how a Malay man dressed in proper Malay wear should be attired.

    I must have been an eyesore to him when he watched me on stage. Today, Singapore lost a dear son.

    To the soft spoken man who gave his life to Singapore, to building a better and worked towards uniting Singaporeans, thank you Sir.

    May You Rest In Peace.

    ‪#‎SRNathan‬ ‪#‎PresidentSingapore‬ ‪#‎Singapore‬ ‪#‎President‬

     

    Source: Abdillah Zamzuri

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