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Tag: Osman Sulaiman

  • Osman Sulaiman: Why Didn’t Presidential Wannabes Contest Past Presidential Elections?

    Osman Sulaiman: Why Didn’t Presidential Wannabes Contest Past Presidential Elections?

    Halimah Yaacob indicates she may run for President. Second Chance boss Salleh Marican, and Bourbon Offshore Asia Chairman Farid Khan also wants to contest the coming Presidential Election.

    The three hopefuls have something in common. They are not Malays. It is ironic that the coming presidential election is reserved for a Malay candidate but so far, no Malays have come forward.

    Personally, I would prefer a Malay candidate to only be eligible but have no issue accepting these three hopefuls to contest.

    Im still more concern whether they are able to stand up and execute their roles if elected. This is crucial. We had ineffective Presidents before and it did more harm to the country and people for failing to carry out their duties.

    Im still wondering where these hopefuls were during the past open presidential elections? Why only when it is reserved for a Malay candidate do they come forward? Maybe they are self-defeating and have low self esteem to contest in an open-election knowing they will not stand a chance.

    If the above is right, then they are not fit to be a leader.

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • President Who Can Speak Malay Is Useless If Not Independent

    President Who Can Speak Malay Is Useless If Not Independent

    Some quarters of my community weren’t too happy that presidential hopeful, Salleh Marican, wasnt fluent in Malay. Rightfully so.

    Malay is our National Language. To be the president of Singapore, the people expect hopeful candidates to at least be able to speak the language. You represent Singapore. You should at least be able to converse in our National Language.

    For those who are supportive of Salleh Marican not being able to speak the Malay language, do bear in mind that all three of our Prime Ministers, even if they are Chinese, can speak fluent Malay. And a national figure who can’t speak our National language is a cause for concern.

    As for me, a presidential candidate who cant speak the language of those he represents, is a secondary concern and not the deciding factor in casting my vote. My primary concern is whether the candidate is able to function and act in the interest of Singaporeans.

    We certainly do not want a President who speaks fluent Malay, who wows the crowd with bombastic words, who write beautiful poetry but is impotent in delivering its duties.

    The last thing we want is a President who can speak Malay but cannot act independently and having complicity with the ruling party.

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • Khan Osman Sulaiman: Why Do People Claim Themselves Malay Only When There’s Something To Gain From It?

    Khan Osman Sulaiman: Why Do People Claim Themselves Malay Only When There’s Something To Gain From It?

    The Malays take all the negative stereotyping people throw at them.

    The Indian Muslims, Arabs, Javanese, Boyanese, Ceylonese will quickly distance themselves when asked whether are they Malays.

    But when there are privileges on hand, everyone wants to be a Malay. Case in hand is the presidential election where it is reserved for Malay candidates.

    Now all of the above mentioned ethnic groups will consider themselves as Malays or ‘representing’ the Malays if qualified to contest the election. Other than that, these people will proudly proclaim ‘Im not a Malay.’

    Nice right?

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • Osman Sulaiman: Opposition Party Leaders Should Not Curtail Freedom Of Speech

    Osman Sulaiman: Opposition Party Leaders Should Not Curtail Freedom Of Speech

    When I heard news that Lim Tean has resigned from NSP, I wasnt surprised of the reasons for his resignation.

    Curtailment of his freedom of speech is one of it. And we are talking about freedom of speech where it’s done in a responsible manner. Not the Amos Yee or Charlie Hebdo kind of free speech.

    Often times, it’s the alternative parties that espouses freedom of speech but in reality, fall short of implementing it within its own organization.

    I encountered many times where alternative parties feel uneasy when its members are vocal about issues they feel strongly about.

    Issues like LGBT, Tudung issue, discrimination, religion, 377A, article 154 etc.

    Party members are always reminded to ‘tone’ down, or a messenger will come to relay message not to get too vocal or get involved in any protest speeches.

    This effectively curb or placed an OB marker on a person to be mindful not to engage in anything the party leaders deemed unsuitable.

    But of course not all of the alternative parties hold such unwritten rules. It depends on the leader at helm.

    For instance, we have leaders from the Reform Party (RP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People’s Power Party (PPP) and Singapore First Party (SFP) who allow its member to participate freely in a democratic society.

    It give members the freedom to have differing opinions from the party’s stand.

    Some may argue that members need to toe along the party lines to achieve unity within the organization but by doing so, it instead create artificial harmony within its rank.

    These parties are then no better than the PAP, the very one they hope to replace.

    My advice to political leaders with ambition to rule Singapore, deal with these sensitive issues and not fetter your members from discussing matters that are crucial to the development of the country. If you are to be a leader, you will need to solve problems, not suppressing it.

    In this aspect, Im proud to be a part of The Reform Party where its leadership never once tried to curtail my freedom of speech as long as it is done in a responsible manner.

    I wish Lim Tean all the best. It is better to move away than to be in a party and gets zipped up. That can spell the end of democracy.

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • Osman Sulaiman: Objective Review Of Policies Implemented By Allahyarham Othman Wok Will Benefit Malay Muslim Community

    Osman Sulaiman: Objective Review Of Policies Implemented By Allahyarham Othman Wok Will Benefit Malay Muslim Community

    Othman Wok has passed away. In my community, many believe that we cannot talk about the dead. I disagree. Strongly.

    The belief that we cannot talk about a dead man past has its roots from Islamic teachings that forbid anyone to air out a dead man’s shameful/disgraceful past. This, I agree.

    But what many would do the moment we tried to discuss about a man’s past, his beliefs, his stand, his deeds, his contributions, his ideology and his political leaning, we are swiftly reminded not to talk about it even if it has nothing to do with exposing of the dead man past.

    As with Othman Wok, many would know about the infamous words he uttered on the burning of the corpses. Many also would know of his loyalty to LKY.

    When speaking about this, I dont think this is shaming the man for bringing back what he said before because Othman Wok still stands by it and has never apologized nor is he ever contrite for his words.

    Othman Wok was the de facto leader of the Malay community by virtue of being appointed a minister in the 60s and 70s. As a leader back then, we should be allowed to study and discuss his actions and contributions as it has bearings on how our community socio-cultural environment developed.

    We can see the mainstream media pouring praises on Othman Wok. Are we then not allowed to counter with facts on his actions? If we take on the line not to discuss a dead man past, we would never have known how evil Hitler and Saddam was.

    No, we are not shaming or airing out his personal details and discretion, but rather to visit history and discuss the impact he, Othman Wok has contributed based on his actions and words.

    Othman Wok was never a leader to me. In fact, it was during his time as a minister, policies that were detrimental to my community went unchallenged, passed without much fun fare that ultimately, led to a whole generation of my community to be weakened economically.

    It shaped the political environment my community faced today. Because whatever we fight today, we fight for our future generation. He, Othman Wok never fought for us. He acquiesced and was complicit with the gov questionable act.

    As a Muslim, I pray for his well-being in the afterlife. May god bless his soul.

    But In this life, I cannot put him on a pedestal.

     

    Source: Osman Sulaiman