Tag: malay

The Birth Of Malay Radicalism

Associate Professor Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied, of the Department of Malay Studies at National University of Singapore, during his talk on ‘Radicals: Resistance and Protest in Colonial Malaya’.

Before the coming of Malay radicals, ordinary Malays in the peninsula had never imagined the idea of Merdeka.

Associate Professor Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied, of the Department of Malay Studies at National University of Singapore, said this had been a new way of looking at politics.

He added that many ideas that the radicals were talking about in the 1930s were out of the world for ordinary Malays at that time

“Radicalism brought people from different strata of life together as they tried, not only to redefine, but also question everything.

“Malay radicals embraced democracy, but hated the West for taking over Malaya. But a lot of ideas they developed had Western origins.

“They used these ideas to turn the tables on the very people who were oppressing them,” he said during his talk on “Radicals: Resistance and Protest in Colonial Malaya”.

He added that many ideas that the radicals were talking about were far out of this world for ordinary Malays at that time.

Syed Muhd Khairudin pointed out that these radicals also came from different backgrounds. Some were English-educated, others Malay-educated and there were also those who were Islamic-educated, adding that women also formed a big part of this group.

“They were also fighting each other on the strategy they should take. It was akin to being married then divorced, and it would repeat itself from time to time.

“This was one of the reasons radicalism failed to gain traction with rural Malays.”

He said some of the leading members if this movement were national laureate Datuk A Samad Ismail, Ibrahim Yacob, Baharudin Helmi, Samsiah Fakir and Tan Sri Datin Paduka Seri Dr Aishah Ghani.

Syed Muhd Khairudin said one badge of honour for this group was going to prison where they would regroup. At the same time, it was a place for them to get new “education” and develop new ideas.

He said the one thing that was very clear was that the Malay radicals were not sure of their end game plan, but they still went ahead promoting their ideas.

It should not be forgotten that women played a big part in being the agents of constructive change, he noted.

Syed Muhd Khairudin said all women wings and non-governmental organisations owed their formation to the radical wing of women as they were the first to have a proper organisation.

Source: www.therakyatpost.com

September 22, 2015
Ummi Abdullah: Government Should Communicate Concerns On Hijab Issue With The Malay Community

Ckp2 pasal issue tudung ni, I have a feeling the government is scared. These people are not stupid, there have something that worries them.

You see, I think the government is worried about the controlling the situation and afraid things may escalate to another level.. how you control this?.. takut lepas minta hijab, they go a step further minta ruang solat, lepas tu, what if minta tak nak pegang lelaki.. you see where is the line.

If the government are so particular why doctor boleh di kasi hijab pulak? kerana mungkin tak ramai doctor wanita islam, the impact is diff, tapi nurse melayu kita bynk.

I think they are worried when people start asking for more.. from hijab, to waktu solat pulak.. to this and that.. where is the line? How to control. I think they worry about this. Nanti takut minta ruang solat pulak, org agama lain nampak nanti dia minta chapel pulak. Nanti dah ada ruang solat, takut.. org tak kira waktu emergency.. one after another pergi sembayang..I think the government is worried about this.

Kat Australia, ke Britain ke.. mereka kasi pakai hijab mungkin tak bynk org.. dlm satu department mungkin tak satu yg pakai hijab.
I rasa ini yg buat government kita contemplating.

Ok ini bab I rasa, MUIS and our Muslim MP, ustaz dan ustazah nak kena masuk, educate the government. Kita jugak nak kena tunjukkan yg kita tak akan melalut sampai ke next tahap yg eh.. “aku wanita islam, tak boleh pegang lelaki. You all get what I mean. Hospital is a place where emergency happen. I think the gorvenment still afraid of the extremist.. Now we ask for hijab, next prayer. .. how u manage things like this?

I think they worry all these may effect the workflow in the hospital.

Ok everyone, please don’t get me wrong, I’m with all of you that wants a hijab, I’m just relating this to you because I have a feeling that the government is worried. I maybe wrong. We need to know why is the government is not allowing this. we need to counter this back in a pratical way. I am a muslim, and I’m sharing this because of Allah swt.

And dear government, if I am wrong, then come forward and give ur explanation why u don’t allow hijab? Is this the reason what MR Yaacob Ibrahim meant by problematic? Can you communicate with your muslim citizens? Please share with us what is ur concern. Can MUIS also step in and explained to the government how we can make this idea of having a hijab at work more feasible?

Thank you
‪#‎keranaAllahswt‬
‪#‎samasamakitacarijalankeluar‬

Source: Dapur Ummi Abdullah

September 11, 2015
Yaacob Ibrahim: Consider The Progress Made By Malay Community Over Past 50 Years Under PAP

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim has urged Malay voters to think wisely and consider the progress the community had made in partnership with the People’s Action Party (PAP) government when they cast their votes on Friday (Sept 11).

“By and large, the Malay community has something good going for them here,” Dr Yaacob said on Wednesday (Sept 9). “I hope they will think wisely and vote wisely (for) their future.”

The improvements in 50 years have been “tremendous” in such areas as education and religious life, and Dr Yaacob said he foresees his community continuing to benefit from the PAP Government’s programmes.

Speaking to reporters after a morning visit to the Beo Crescent market to woo voters, he also addressed the issue of Muslim women not being allowed to wear headscarves in certain jobs. One such case is nurses in government hospitals.

He said the PAP’s Malay MPs, including himself, are sympathetic to those facing such restrictions and have raised the matter with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

“PM Lee has said the policy is not cast in stone. To me, that is a very good sign,” added Dr Yaacob, who is Minister for Communications and Information.

The issue has been raised on the hustings by some opposition parties who have charged the interests of the Malay-Muslim community have not been sufficiently looked after.

Dr Yaacob noted that generally, there are no restrictions on Muslim women wearing headscarves in the wider community.

But at workplaces with restrictions, he pledged to continue to work with employers to accommodate headscarves “in a flexible way”.

He is confident the change “will come in time”.

He also noted that like others, the Malay community is not problem-free.

“But the important thing is whether we are dealing with them.”

He appealed to Malay voters to be patient as it takes time to solve the problems. “We don’t have a magic wand. The opposition believe they can solve all the problems in five years. I will be very surprised (if they do),” he added.

Looking ahead, he sees government programmes like Fresh Start Housing Scheme improving further his community’s quality of life.

The scheme to help second-timer rental households own a two-room flat was announed by PM Lee at the National Day Rally last month.

Noting it will benefit many Malay families, Dr Yaacob said: “Whenever I come across Malay families, I ask them and they tell me they want to get out of rental housing… and have a permanent home.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

September 9, 2015
WP’s Faisal Manap And Fairoz Shariff Put Religion First, Potential Minister-In-Charge Of Muslim Affairs

Bro,

I nampak photo of WP Malay candidates performing prayers before rally dah go viral. I’m actually very proud and impressed of what they do. As a Kaki Bukit resident and a Muslim, it is good for me to see that there’s people like the WP candidates who represent us.

They show that even they are in Chinese party, they never forget their religious duties. They also very good people with very good heart.

What I know is Cik Faisal Manap and Cik Fairoz Shariff is very strict on religion. Religion is number one, is the priority for them. Islam is guide for what they do.

What I feel is Muslim MPs should put religion first, like Cik Faisal and Cik Fairoz.

Cik Faisal I know is Wear White supporter which is pro-family and anti LGBT. As Muslim this is not even a question for us. LGBT is forbidden. I respect Cik Faisal for standing up for what he believes in. He dont care about what the party stand. He support because he is a Muslim.

“I support the movement because it’s my responsibility to show concern for my fellow Muslims, asking them to do some introspection on whether what they’re doing is in accordance with Islamic values. That’s the campaign’s main calling.” – Faisal Manap

I and my family wil pray they will be successful next week. Who knows maybe they can become Muslim Minister one day inshaallah?

Hamzah

[Reader Contribution]

*Editor’s Note: The original article was amended to correct a phrasing error. We apologise to Mr Hamzah.

September 7, 2015
Amrin Amin: PAP Prihatin, Akan Terus Berusaha Cari Huraian Bagi Isu-Isu Melayu/Islam

Isu-isu Melayu/Islam terus menjadi tumpuan kempen para calon pembangkang Melayu sepanjang pilihan raya ini.

Tanpa menyentuh mana-mana isu tertentu, calon baru PAP, Encik Amrin Amin berkata, para anggota partinya prihatin dan akan terus berusaha untuk mencari huraiannya.

Namun katanya, ia perlu dilakukan secara bersama dan dengan pemahaman bahawa Singapura adalah sebuah negara berbilang kaum di mana keperluan kaum minoriti juga perlu dijaga.

Maka itu, beliau menyarankan agar pendekatan lebih luas diambil dalam hal ini, dengan tumpuan juga diberikan kepada gambaran lebih besar serta teras Singapura yang perlu dipelihara.

Encik Amrin ditemui semasa sesi kunjungan menemui penduduk di Woodlands Avenue 6, pagi tadi.

Lawatan-lawatan seperti ini sudah menjadi satu rutin biasa bagi Encik Amrin Amin sepasukan, sejak Hari Penamaan Calon Selasa lalu.

Diketuai Menteri Pembangunan Negara, Encik Khaw Boon Wan, pasukan lima anggota ini kelihatan bertenaga, meskipun bermula seawal 8 pagi tadi.

Menurut Encik Amrin, sambutan yang diterimanya setakat ini amat memberangsangkan.

“Saya telah berjumpa dengan ramai penduduk di kedai kopi, di kedai kopi dan pasar-pasar. Saya gembira dapat bertemu dengan ramai penduduk dan mereka memberi saya sokongan serta doa semoga dapat melaksanakan amanah masyarakat ini sebaik mungkin,” kata Encik Amrin.

Walaupun setakat ini belum lagi ada isu-isu besar yang diutarakan penduduk, Encik Amrin akui masih terdapat lagi ruang yang perlu diperbaiki.

Beliau berkata kesempurnaan mungkin tidak boleh dicapai.

Namun beliau yakin pasukannya mempunyai rancangan yang baik untuk meningkatkan lagi mutu kehidupan para penduduk di sini.

Sebagai calon kali pertama, peguam 35 tahun ini juga, berkata beliau banyak belajar daripada para aktivis serta para calon yang lain.

Kerja keras, ketabahan serta kekuatan mereka dijadikan inspirasi bagi membulatkan lagi tekadnya untuk menyumbang kepada masyarakat.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

September 7, 2015