Affirmative Action and the reality of the Malays

By Zaizul Zaman

Zaizul Zaman

I am grateful to admit that I am one of the beneficiaries of the affirmative action.

I was raised in a rural area in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, surrounded by oil palm plantation where about 80% of the populations are Felda settlers. Life was simple back then. After my primary school, based on the 4A’s result in the UPSR, I was offered a place in a boarding school in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan.

The boarding school experiences really changed me as a person. It was then that I discovered my potential, explored my abilities and exposed to the reality that I was facing and shaped my ambition. I managed to get 10 A’s in the SPM, which was quite an achievement back then. When I collected the result, a classmate whom I will forever be indebted for gave me a crumpled newpaper advertisement of a convertible study loan program offered by Petronas, in which his result did not make the minimum requirement.

I filled in the crumpled newspaper advertisement and sent it via snail mail through the small post office (it was called “wakil pos” those time) in my home town where the postal service was not very reliable. I was called to the structured interviews few months later and soon found my way to KDU for my foundation studies.

My KDU experience was a cultural shock for a kampung boy. Most of the students and lecturers were Chinese and the environment was very different to my upbringing. The short six months passed very soon and with the intensive nature of the course, there were not much interaction with other people around me.

Time flies and my foundation studies result enabled me to study Chemical Engineering at University of Melbourne. My experiences living abroad enabled me to see Malaysia from a third party perspective. It was then that I got to know many Chinese friends who were being sponsored by their parents, and made me reflect that I would never be able to study abroad using my parent’s money, since we struggled to meet ends need all the while. It was then that I was really impressed with a Malaysian Chinese friend who had to work hard to earn a living, while also studying. I was impressed to know that his parents owned a small sundry shop in a village in Johore and was able to send their son overseas for study. 

At the same time, I got to know some friends whom happened to be a sons or daughters of ministers, MPs, Datuks and other professionals whom are studying abroad on scholarship. How unfair those things were.

I went back to join Petronas as an engineer. It was an enriching experience in which I felt very accomplished, that I came a long way from a kampung boy from a rural area to now working with Fortune 500 Company in a high tech Oil & Gas facility, and later moved to KLCC. I worked with people from various backgrounds and nationalities and the feeling that we can compete at the highest level, giving instructions to the “Mat Saleh” was an accomplishment. It was like living in my own world, far away from the reality.

I was brought back to reality when later I joined Felda, which enabled me to see what is really happening on the ground. That was the time that I realised that I was living in an exclusive world, whereas many of the people especially Malays are still living just as what I saw when I was a kid in my rural hometown. Not much have changed for them. Many of my friends, whom I considered bright, whom I used to compete with in my primary school, never reached SPM. Many dropped out, whilst some struggled to make a living.

Living those experiences, really make me reflect on myself when I was faced with the question of should the Malaysian government policy that favour the bumiputera over others should really stays. On one hand, I realised that the system was there for so long that abuse are rampant. On the other hand, removing all those benefits will mean that people like me will never be who I am today. For a rural kid like me, access to facilities and opportunities will never be equivalent to those living in the city from wealthy families where opportunities can be created with the money in hand.

At the time that people including those whom were the beneficiaries of this policy are calling for absolute equalities, doing away with the racial-based policy, I am convinced that there is a need for change in the implementation of such policy; however, scrapping away all those affirmative action for me is never an option.

I would like to call other beneficiaries of the affirmative action like me to really reflect whether:

Is it fair that after all that you have got through this policy, then you say that it can be scrapped now?

Is it fair that after the policy brought so much change to you, you don’t even recognize the policy and condemn the affirmative action as unjust and unfair?

Is it fair after all those help being extended to you, you just live for your own sake, and never bother to extend your hand to help your own race?

Is it fair that after you have been helped, then you expect your daughters and sons to be continued to be helped later in their life?

Whatever happened after PRU13, I pray that the Malays and Bumiputeras especially those in dire need will continue to be assisted so that one day, the nation’s wealth can be trully shared and enjoyed. The assistance may not only be in material form, but more on instilling the self-belief, motivation and sense of purpose.

I pray that the Malay would not be marginalised in our own land.

SUNNI-SHI'A Muslims Joint Appeal by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Sayyid Muhammad Khatami

This morning there was a very interesting and unique program at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Perdana Leadership Foundation at Putrajaya. 

There was a joint appeal by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former Iranian President Sayyid Muhammad Khatami (who was represented by one Dr Ali Khosroe) to Shias and Sunnis all over the world as well as to the Organisation of Islamic Countries to put an end to all violence and killing between Sunnis and Shias all over the world. 

This was a brave effort spearheaded by Prof Dr Chandra Muzaffar and the JUST World Movement, ably assisted by Anas Zubedy, Secretary General of JUST.

Dr Mahathir, Dr Chandra & Dr Ali Khosroe addressing the audience 

It was a very simple call - to stop all violence between Sunnis and Shias. What made the great difference was that this is a direct appeal by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia (a Sunni country) and Sayyid Muhamad Khatami (former president of Iran - a predominantly Shia country). Both Dr Mahathir and Sayyid Muhammad Khatami hold considerable say among Muslims all over the world as statesmen and opinion leaders.

Their joint statement that was released to the Press calling for peace between Sunnis and Shias was therefore a unique achievement.

The idea is that the media will pick up on this Joint Statement and help promote this message.

However the fact is not too many of our local media was present. The event was also quite hushed so as not to attract the attention of the religious orthodoxy here. (They may NOT like such kissy-kissy affairs between Sunnis and Shias). They prefer to keep things on the boil. 

There were quite a few Iranians present in the crowd - the Islamic Republic of Iran's National News Agency or IRNA was there. There were also Malaysian Shias I assume but I couldnt recognise them - because they looked exactly like the Malaysian Sunnis. (Semua Awang Dogoi sebiji serupa juga - tak ada beza pun.)  

Anyway during question time I raised the point that many Islamic countries still had written laws which discriminated amongst the Muslims according to sects.  

A long time ago the West also had discriminatory laws between Catholics and Protestants which caused so much sectarian wars and killing. The West then made a commitment to abolish such faith based laws and enacted new laws which guaranteed freedom of religion - as we find in most modern constitutions. 

The point I made was that hopefully Malaysia too will abolish those laws which seek to discriminate between Muslims according to their sect or faith in Islam. Our laws can prosecute not only Shias but also anyone deemed not in keeping with the majority Sunni orthodoxy.

If we continue to have such laws in our country we will never really be able to build bridges between people of different Muslim sects not just in our country but around the world. Assoc Professor Syed Farid Alatas the son of the late Professor Syed Hussein Alatas who was also present followed up on my question and said words to the effect that if one sect has legal authority to label  another sect deviant then  it creates a permanent dominant-subservient relationship.  And these are exactly the type of relationships which cause hatreds and violence among the Muslim sects. 

In short we must make attempts to annul or abolish such discriminatory laws. Otherwise we cannot become a modern and peaceful society.

And many Malaysian Muslims honestly want our country to be an exemplary Islamic nation (negara Islam yang dicontohi) in promoting and providing peaceful and harmonious living for all its citizens. But when people point out that we prosecute (and persecute) Muslims who do not belong to the Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah the same Malaysians go quiet. Senyap. How can we be a modern 21st century nation if we continue to do this?  

Here is another bit of trivia - there are now a couple of hundred thousand or more home grown Malaysian Shias, some of whom are third generation Shias. There are also over 70,000 Iranian  Shias who permanently reside in Malaysia (however I think many of them do not really believe in their religion anymore).  That is a lot of people. 

OK that was just the introduction to today's Blog.  Here is the real story for today.

There is this interesting site on the Internet called  Protestant Islam.  You can click on the link and visit the site. It will not bore you at all.  

There is an interesting little book (PDF format) listed there titled 'My Journey From The Christianity of the Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah to the Islam of the Prophet'.  Here is one chapter from that book :

CHAPTER 20 THE INFAMOUS BATTLE OF JAMAL AND BATTLE OF SIFFIN BETWEEN THE ‘SHIAHS’ AND ‘SUNNIS’ THAT NEVER TOOK PLACE

The Battle of Siffin is a famous battle that took place 1356 years ago in 657 AD between the forces of Muawiyah and Saidina Ali. This battle is considered by many to be the decisive split in Islam which gave birth to the Sunnis and Shia conflict. This chapter argues that this famous battle never took place.  Here is an excerpt (in blue) from the chapter :

“In Syria, disorder and incitement to commotion continued unabated. Uthman's shirt, besmeared with his blood and the chopped-off fingers of his wife, Naila, were exhibited from the pulpit. In this manner, Muawiya raised the entire country of Syria against Ali. Ultimately, both the parties, opposed to each other, converged on Siffin where their armies pitched their camps in 37/657. Even at this stage, Ali sent three men, viz. Bashir bin Amr bin Mahz Ansari, Saeed bin Qais Hamdani, and Shis bin Rabiee Tamini to Muawiya to induce him to settle for union, accord and coming together. According to Tabari (5h vol., p. 243), Muawiya replied that, "Go away from here, only the sword will decide between us."

So according to Tabari not long after the Prophet had died, the companions of the Prophet started fighting and killing each other. The Battle of Siffin was fought between the forces of Muawiyah and Ali - both of whom were the closest companions of the Prophet.  To dispute this story, the chapter then quotes the following verses from the Quran :

8.62] And if they intend to deceive you -- then surely God is sufficient for you; He it is Who strengthened you with His help and with the believers

[8.63] And united their hearts; had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but God united them; surely He is Mighty, Wise.

[8.64] O Prophet! God is sufficient for you and the believers that follow you.

These are the verses in the Quran where Allah tells the Prophet that He (Allah) has united the hearts of the believers (the companions) who were around the Prophet. 

It does not stop there. Allah says that even if the Prophet had spent all his wealth, he could not have united the hearts of the believers around him. But Allah has already done so. In other words it is already a fait accompli. Allah has united their hearts.

Yet people say that just a few years after the Prophet died, these same believers (Muawiyah,  Saidina Ali plus all their supporters) whose hearts had been united by Allah started murdering and fighting with each other.  The story of the Battle of Siffin between the companions of the Prophet contradicts what is written about the companions in the Quran.

So the author draws the conclusion that these stories about the Battle of Siffin are fake. 

I have read many accounts of this famous Battle of Siffin (a place in Syria) between Muawiyah and Ali that took place in 657 AD.  One of the main thrusts of the story was the 'fight for the river'.  

That was no ordinary river. It was the famous Euphrates River that flows from Syria into Iraq. Here is one account from Wikipedia :

"The fight for the river  :  With an army of some 80,000 strong, mainly recruited from Iraq, Ali set out from Kufa, planning to march through upper part of Iraq and invade Syria from the north. Ali, then pushed on to Raqa, on the left bank of the Euphrates.  ..Ali soon discovered that the Syrian positions controlled the water supply of the whole valley, and that there was no access to the river for his men. Muawiya obviously intended to use thirst to drive Ali's men to surrender."

OK folks here are two pictures of the grand Euphrates River in Syria. This is a huge river with sandy banks, rocky edges, swampy shores, marshes, reeds, forests and wetlands along its banks.  This is not Sungai Rapat in Ipoh or Sungai Kuyuh in Bkt Jalil. 

I have seen the mighty Euphrates River myself in Mosul in Iraq.  Folks, even today the entire might of the US Army that has invaded and occupied Iraq, with their tanks, jet planes, drones, missiles and satellites cannot prevent even one Iraqi from going down to this mighty river to drink a sip of water or to take a piss.   There is no way.

Yet we are required to believe that the forces of Muawiyah who were riding on camels, horses and on foot would attempt to block an 80,000 strong army of Saidina Ali - also riding on camels, horseback and on foot - access to this river as their main battle strategy?  

Ponder this - in comparison the coastline of the West Coast of Semenanjung Malaysia is only about 700 km long. Can you imagine a battle strategy to deny say a battalion of soldiers access to the Straits of Malacca along this 700 km coastline? It will be impossible.  

I think the guys who wrote this story of the Battle of Siffin do not know anything about warfare and "denial of access to areas" (D2AA) in war.  There is no way anyone can deny 80,000 soldiers access to water from a river that is 3,000 km long (ie 6000 km of river banks on both sides) as a strategy to win a battle.

I agree that this Battle of Siffin is most likely a fake story. This also means that the hatred and animosity between the Sunnis and Shias that has persisted for 1400 years until today are all based on fake stories like this.  

What a complete waste of life.  Please lets all make that joint appeal. Shias and Sunnis dont kill yourselves over fake stories from over a 1000  years ago. Please wake up.

Mitos demokrasi dan perpaduan

Oleh Radzi Tajuddin

Link from Matrodi's blog: http://matrodi.my/2013/05/21/mitos/

Antara mitos terbesar demokrasi adalah majoriti yang menguasai (majority rules). Mitos ini wujud kerana pendukung demokrasi merasakan dengan bilangan yang ramai, sudah tentulah yang sedikit bilangannya dapat dikuasai. Oleh itu bagi pihak majoriti, mereka tidak perlu risau selagi mana jumlah mereka kekal ramai.

Jika begitu keadaannya, bagaimana kita dapat menjelaskan keadaan di mana kaum yahudi yang kurang 0.1% jumlahnya di dunia ini menguasai ekonomi, kewangan, teknologi, hiburan dan politik?

Bolehkah kita menjelaskan juga mengapa kaum cina di Malaysia yang populasinya hanya sekitar 30% menguasai lebih 70% ekonomi seperti pemilikan ekuiti, hartanah, rantaian pengeluaran (supply chain) barangan dan menjadi ‘kingmaker’ di lebih 50% kawasan parlimen.

Jika benar demokrasi berkisar tentang majoriti, sudah tentulah perkara ini tidak terjadi.

Hakikatnya adalah, di dalam demokrasi majoriti atau minoriti sebenarnya kurang penting. Sebaliknya yang menentukan kekuatan dan kemajuan sesuatu bangsa di dalam demokrasi adalah perpaduan.

Bangsa Yahudi dan Cina bersatu padu dalam mencapai matlamat memajukan bangsa mereka melalui politik dan ekonomi. Apabila dikatan bersatu padu bukanlah bermakna mereka tidak bergaduh sesama sendiri.Mereka juga bergaduh dan bertelagah, mungkin lebih dasyat. Namun apabila berkaitan soal kemajuan dan survival bangsa, mereka mengenepikan perbezaan yang ada dan memilih untuk bersatu padu.

Pilihanraya 2013 yang lepas menunjukkan 95% pengundi cina bersatu menolak Barisan Nasional yang menganjurkan konsep perkongsian kuasa. Sebaliknya 95% pengundi Cina memilih Pakatan Rakyat yang mengamalkan konsensus dan kesamarataan.

Ramai yang terlupa menjelang pilihanraya Pengerusi DAP Johor secara terang-terangan bergaduh dengan Penasihat DAP, Lim Kit Siang. Di Melaka dan Perak juga perkara sama turut berlaku. Di sebalik pergaduhan dalaman parti Cina ini, pengundi Cina tetap memberikan sokongan yang ‘solid’ kepada DAP. Bahkan purata majoriti kawasan dimenangi oleh DAP adalah lebih 10,000.

Jika ini bukan bersatu padu, jadi apa sebenarnya yang dikatakan besatu padu?

Perkara ini membuktikan bahawa di dalam demokrasi, pihak minoriti juga boleh menjadi ‘kingmaker’, kuat dan maju daripada pihak majoriti asalkan mereka bersatu padu.

Kita sering diberitahu antara punca kemunduran umat Islam di dunia adalah kerana sering bertelagah, bertelingkah isu remeh temeh dan berbunuhan sesama sendiri.Secara logiknya, tidak mungkin umat yang mempunyai penganut lebih 1/6 populasi dunia serta kaya dengan ratusan billion petrol-dollar boleh berterusan mundur dan lemah.

Yang anehnya, apabila diajak untuk bersatu, timbullah suara yang menentang. Lebih pelik lagi suara ini datang di kalangan umat Islam sendiri.

Antara mitos popular penentang perpaduan yang sering dimainkan adalah ‘bersatu padu ini tujuannya adalah untuk menentang pihak yang lagi satu.’ Lebih mengejutkan lagi pihak ini mengatakan perpaduan adalah provokasi untuk mewujudkan pergaduhan..

Jika perpaduan dianggap sedemikian rupa, adakah golongan penentang ini merasakan keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik dengan terus berpecah belah?

Analoginya, apabila ibu bapa kita menyuruh anak-anaknya untuk bersatu padu demi kemajuan keluarga itu sendiri,adakah ia bertujuan untuk bergaduh dengan keluarga jiran sebelah? Bagaimana pula seruan bersatu padu di dalam organisasi,kelab, pasukan dan syarikat? Adakah ia bermaksud untuk bergaduh dengan pihak yang lain ataupun demi kekuatan sendiri?

Mitos seterusnya adalah perpaduan hanyalah ‘fallacy’ dan manusia memang berpecah sejak dahulu lagi.

Jika manusia khususnya bangsa melayu di Malaysia tidak pernah bersatu, jelaskan mengapa Malayan Union gagal direalisasikan? Adakah kerana tiba-tiba British insaf dan bermurah hati ataupun sebenarnya British gentar dengan kesatuan bangsa melayu dari pelbagai persatuan, wilayah dan negeri?

Perpaduan di kalangan bangsa melayu yang diteruskan dengan perpaduan di antara melayu, cina dan india telah membawa kemerdekaan kepada negara.

Kemajuan negara yang pantas selepas insiden rusuhan kaum 13 Mei juga hasil daripada perpaduan orang melayu yang kurang bergaduh sesama sendiri sebaliknya lebih tertumpu memajukan bangsa sendiri melalui kerjasama dengan kaum lain.

Pihak penentang perpaduan boleh berkata apa sahaja. Tetapi sudah jelas perpaduan bangsa melayu lebih banyak membawa manfaat daripada perpecahan.

Jika bangsa Cina yang sudah maju masih lagi menganjurkan perpaduan di kalangan mereka terutama soal pendidikan dan kuasa politik, apa pencapaian yang boleh dibanggakan oleh bangsa melayu untuk terus berpecah?

Mengapa melayu sahaja yang kerap disuruh untuk bersatu? Ini kerana bangsa melayulah yang paling berpecah belah dan perpecahan ini hanya melemahkan orang melayu sebagai pihak majoriti di negara ini.

Adakah penyataan ini rasis? Hanya mereka yang rasis sahaja melihat perpaduan di kalangan bangsa melayu sebagai provokasi untuk bergaduh dengan bangsa lain.

Radzi Tajuddin

Press Statement by the Consultation and Prevention Panel of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)

PANEL PERUNDINGAN DAN PENCEGAHAN RASUAH 

SURUHANJAYA PENCEGAHAN RASUAH MALAYSIA 

BLOK D6, KOMPLEKS D 

PUSAT PENTADBIRAN KERAJAAN PERSEKUTUAN 

PETI SURAT 6000 

62007 PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA 

SEKRETARIAT PANEL PERUNDINGAN DAN PENCEGAHAN RASUAH 

Press statement by the Consultation and Prevention Panel of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission  (MACC) 

21st May 2013 

One of the key issues raised during the recent 13th general election was corruption. 

This panel is of the opinion that it is imperative for the Government to take into account all views, criticisms and allegations from various quarters on this issue. 

Although a section of these views, criticisms and allegations did not have a strong basis or were merely perceptions, these were used as grounds to allege that the Government is not transparent, clean and does not have integrity. 

This panel in the meantime welcomes the appointment of Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, the President of Transparency International (Malaysia) as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department responsible for anti-corruption matters. 

The panel is always ready to cooperate with Datuk Low in whatever efforts to root out corruption to ensure good governance and integrity. 

The panel would also make the following proposals: 

1. Family Members of Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Menteri Besar, Chief Ministers and State Executive Councillors Be Barred from Bidding for Government  contracts. 

The panel proposes that members of the Administration at the federal and state levels and their immediate family members shall not be involved in bidding for Government contracts. 

This should include Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers, as well as State Executive Councillors, without any exemption. 

This proposal is aimed at preventing acts of conflict of interest and to plug loopholes and opportunities that could lead to corruption. It is intended to allay public perception that those close to the corridors of power could influence Government decision-making. 

In this regard, the previous practice whereby any Minister or Menteri Besar and Chief Minister is absolved from liability merely by leaving a meeting related to an application by a company that his family members had an interest in, should no longer be in force. 

The panel proposes that this be implemented with immediate effect at  the federal, state, local government levels and government agencies. 

2. Declaration of Assets Once in Every Three Years to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission ( MACC). 

To ensure integrity in government administration, the panel proposes that all Members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies declare their assets once in every three years to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). 

This would reinforce their commitment towards the fight against corruption. By doing so, doubts about their assets during their term as Elected Representatives could be overcome. 

By the same token, the panel fully supports the declaration of assets by members of the Cabinet and Administration only to MACC. Such a move shows transparency on the part of the Government over assets of Ministers and their immediate family members. 

It would also protect the interest of other parties in the event of allegations related to their respective positions and "wealth" during their tenure with the Government. 

3. Cooling off Period for Retired Civil Servants Before Holding Corporate Positions. 

At present, there is no specific cooling off period in allowing civil servants who have retired from holding appointments in the corporate sector or professional practice. 

This could lead to a conflict of interest situation given the fact that those involved could take advantage of their knowledge, influence and positions while in the government service for personal gains upon retirement. It could also act as an "insurance" or assurance for them 

post-retirement. 

The risks of corruption could arise when retiring officers could make use of their public positions to lobby for posts and certain personal benefits when they retire. 

To prevent such conflicts of interest, the panel proposes a one-year cooling-off period be set before civil servants who retired from service be permitted to hold positions in the corporate sector or professional practice. 

Chairman 

DATUK JOHAN JAAFFAR 

On Behalf of Members of the Consultation and Prevention Panel 

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Lim Kok Wing 

Dr. Zainal Abidin Abdul Majeed 

Datuk David Chua Kok Tee 

Datuk Dr. Ishak Tambi Kechik 

Datuk Seri Azman Ujang 

Datuk Marimuthu Nadason 

Prof. Dr. Engr Chin Yew Sin 

Tuan Syed Akbar Ali  

Page 4 

The best ways to national unity : A Zoo With No Elephant

I read the follwoing in today's Star here.

"In this Cafe Latte chat, we bring together Labis MP Datuk Chua Tee Yong, social entrepreneur and founder of Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd Anas Zubedy, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran and PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya to discuss national unity and what are the best ways to move forward as a nation. The chat was moderated by Star online editor Philip Golingai."

Well in the picture above there are three non-Malay politicians and one social activist. But where is the elephant?  If you want to involve politicians in the dialogue, then most certainly UMNO has secured 88 Parliamentary and 244 State seats.  UMNO is still the elephant. So where is the elephant? Where is UMNO?

There is a simple reason why the elephant has not been invited. The kancils sitting at the table cannot speak the elephant's language.  So national unity is not going to happen anytime soon. 

Learn to speak the language guys.  And you cannot discuss National Unity without giving due regard to the New Economic Policy and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

Lets cut the crap. Lets get straight to the point - how many of you can accept the Federal Constituion? A quick yes or no will do.   How many of you cannot accept Article 153  (Malay Special Rights) of the Federal Constituion? A quick yes or no will do.  

If you cannot accept Article 153 then how do suggest we go about fostering National Unity? Speak up. Dont waste time. Dont waste your life. 

Do you accept the NEP or no. If no, then what do you suggest? Speak up. Dont be afraid. Dont waste time.  As I was blogging I just received this long sms :

"Please consider posting this directly or modifying it before posting in your blog.

"Dr Amy Chua of Havard University, USA , in her book the 'World On Fire' endorses the Malaysian New Economic Policy as the most suitable policy for Malaysia where the economy of the native population has been exploited by the colonial powers and by immigrant populations leaving the natives as wage earners and peasants.

Amy Chua is a Chinese originating from the Philippines. 

The objectives of the New Economic Policy are to create national unity,to eradicate poverty and to reduce the economic inbalance among the various ethnic groups in Malaysia in order to achieve political stability and sustainable economic development and progress. The New Economic Policy is also endorsed and supported by the World Bank. Aziz Yassin, President Alliance Foundation Malaysia."

Over to the floor.  Lets be more civil too. 

Ahmad On Moses And Yehoshua

Today I read the following comment sent to my Blog by Ahmad. I feel a little more educated after reading Ahmad's comment.  So I have decided to repost Ahmad's comment as a Blog post. 

As per Ahmad's request I hope those of you who may have more knowledge about this topic will share your views. This is also obviously a topic that touches on "religious faith" so I hope we can all please be civil.  Just because it is "religion" it is no excuse to lose your senses.

I had posted some time ago verses from the Quran  where Mary (the mother of Jesus) is addressed as 'the sister of Aaron' (Harun). In arabic it says 'ya ukhti haroona'.  Since Aaron (Harun) is also the brother of Moses, this means Mary is the sister of Moses. And Moses is therefore the uncle of Jesus.  Well I am just making a simple deduction from that verse in the Quran.  (If anyone else has any other view - from the Quran of course - then please bring it forward. Fairy tales not accepted.)

Of course this turns upside down all the 'orthodox versions' of the stories of Moses and Jesus that we have been taught. No one knows when exactly Moses lived but some christian scholars say about 1400 years before Jesus.  So has the Quran made a big bungle by saying that Moses, Aaron (Harun) and Mary were siblings? And that Jesus is the nephew of Moses?  

Will anyone get stoned to death for saying something (from the Quran) that goes against the grain of the orthodoxy? 

Lets first read Ahmad's views. He has done some research which are worth looking at. Then I have some more comments after this :

Mr Syed

Sorry to digress from your topic. Not too long ago you wrote an article that the Quran says, Mary is the mother of Jesus. She is also the sister of Aaron and Aaron is the brother of Moses. That makes Moses, Jesus’s uncle. 

Your article got me interested in searching for the true Jesus. Quran Chapter 4 verse 157 also said that Jesus was not killed or crucified but it was a made up story.

The books, ‘Jesus Never Existed by Kenneth Humphreys’ and ‘Did Jesus Christ Really Live? by Marshall J. Gauvin’ claim that there was no record of a Jesus Christ, his crucifixion or Christianity during the period he was supposed to conduct his mission. 

It was a period of Jewish uprising against Roman rule. The Testimonium about Christianity and Jesus in Flavius Josephus’ historical work was ascertained to be a later addition by someone and not part of his work.

My search reveals that there was a Jesus during the time of Moses. His name was Hoshea or Joshua (Salvation) Bin Nun (Fish) but Moses changed it to Yehoshua (God saves) Bin Nun (Fish). Jesus is the English transliteration of the Greek word for Yehoshua. In Arabic, he would have been known as Isa.

Something special about this Jesus is because he has a ‘Bin Nun’ after his name and not ‘Ben Nun’ like other Jews. We also know that ‘Nun’ or ‘Fish’ is the symbol of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.

Yehoshua was very much younger than Moses, but like Moses, he was born in Egypt and was hidden after birth to escape Pharaoh's decree that all new-born Hebrew males be drowned in the river. Like Moses, he was from the Israelite tribe of Joseph (half-tribe of Ephraim) and was a young man at the time of the Exodus. He was also present on the mountain when Moses received the Law. 

Yehoshua was a national leader (if not king), a capable military commander as well as a religious leader. He was an expert in the Torah. According to the Torah, God appointed him to succeed Moses and complete his mission to conquer the Promised Land for the Israelites. Doesn’t that entitled him to be called the Messiah?

After crossing the Jordon River, Yehoshua did a mass circumcision of all males who were born in the wilderness because they were not yet circumcised till then. He led the Israelites to conquer Canaan and divide it among the 12 tribes.

According to The Book of Joshua, God did many miracles for him in his victories:

1: On his way to conquer Canaan, at the Jordon River, the waters parted as it happened to Moses at the Reed Sea (Joshua 3).

2: The battle of Jericho, was won by the Israelites by surrounding the walls and walking around them, causing the walls to collapse miraculously (Joshua 6:20). 

3: In the battle at Gibeon (Joshua 10:13) as evening was approaching, God caused the sun to stand still, allowing the Jews to finish and win the battle without having to fight another battle.

He was one of the greatest Israelite chosen by God but strangely not accepted as a Prophet. An amazing story is that he was married to a Gentile prostitute of Jericho by the name of Rachav.

There is nothing much known about his mother and as a result I was unable to connect him to Jesus of the Quran. A scholarly research is needed to find out the truth. Maybe you or other readers can help with more facts on this. Hadiths will not help because it is influenced by the Bible.

Ahmad

Well thank you Ahmad.  We can learn more than one lesson from this little bit of information. First here are the two book titles that Ahmad has mentioned that we may all be interested in :

i.   'Jesus Never Existed' by Kenneth Humphreys

ii.  'Did Jesus Christ Really Live?' by Marshall J. Gauvin

Now this is among the reasons why the West is so far ahead of the Muslims and also why the Muslims are in the Club of Doom. 

In the West (and also in China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore) you can write such books about Jesus Christ and you will not be stoned to death. You can write a book that explores if Jesus Christ really existed or not. 

Among the Muslims if you even pondered an equivalent book title, the local mobs will possibly stone you to death, if not the local jabatan agama will throw you in jail for heresy, apostasy, deviation or a half dozen other charges.

So we learn that there are Biblical references to a Yehoshua at the time of Moses.  Those two books would be interesting to look at. I also think that someone is trying to hack into my Blog account.

Do read up on Yehoshua in the Bible. This is an interesting read.

The 5 Richest Countries in the World

The recession has taken a toll on economies around the world, from driving down standards of living to sending unemployment to record levels. Through it all, however, some nations' people have emerged stronger and wealthier than ever before. Is there a trend among the richest countries on the planet, and can investors benefit from these economies' gains?

Compiled from data from the International Monetary Fund's 2013 estimates, here are the richest five nations among the world's 50 largest economies, sorted by GDP per capita and adjusted for purchasing-power parity. While at least one expected name makes the list, a few may surprise you.

No. 5: Switzerland, $46,474 per person

Kicking off the list is Europe's second-wealthiest country, Switzerland. The Swiss economy has performed remarkably well despite its proximity to recession-battered European nations. Switzerland's GDP grew 3% in 2010 and an estimated 0.9% in 2012. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but compared to Europe's far-reaching contraction, it's a relieving dose of stability. Swiss citizens have gained from the country's notoriety as a tax haven, and the country's forward-looking moves -- such as its preliminary agreement to a free-trade deal with China -- should only benefit its economy in coming years. The IMF expects Switzerland's GDP per capita to rise to more than $54,000 by 2018.

Investors can get in on the country's good fortune as well. Swiss drugmaker Novartis (NYSE: NVS  ) has been a standout stock among big pharmas, with shares gaining more than 45% over the past year. Novartis' future is bright with drugs such as its oral multiple-sclerosis medication Gilenya, which analysts have pegged to gain peak sales of between $2 billion and $3.5 billion. Among Swiss stocks, Nestle (NASDAQOTH: NSRGY  ) , which has seen its shares gain 20% over the past year, is poised to become a leader among the growing infant-nutrition business. Infant nutrition has risen especially sharply in emerging markets such as China, and Nestle's one of the top players poised to capitalize. Investors have plenty to pick from in this wealthy nation.

No. 4: United Arab Emirates, $49,883 per person

A few Middle Eastern nations have profited in a big way from the region's oil bounty, but few have done so as successfully -- and as publicly -- as the UAE. Dubai, the country's largest city, has exploded into a desert metropolis as the nation's citizens have enjoyed top-tier gains in standards of living. The nation's still in the middle of developing, with tourism playing an important role in the country's economic growth. Foreign investment has also supercharged the country's economy, with more than $10 billion in foreign investment entering the country in 2011. The IMF's estimates are optimistic: The organization expects the UAE's GDP per capita to grow to more than $57,000 by 2018.

The nation's rise has been a boon for the country's markets, which recently hit multiyear highs. While investing in this rising star isn't so easy as investing in an established nation such as Switzerland, Middle East ETFs such as the Market Vectors Gulf States Index ETF (NYSEMKT: MES  ) offer exposure to the brightest growth story in the region. Almost 30% of this ETF's exposure is concentrated in the UAE, the second-leading nation in the ETF and trailing only Kuwait.

No. 3: United States, $51,248 per person

I think most investors will recognize this nation. For all the hits the U.S. economy has taken throughout its slow recovery from the depths of the recession, the average American still lives a remarkably wealthy lifestyle. Falling unemployment, which declined to 7.5% recently, and the country's housing rebound have helped America dig out of the economic doldrums. The IMF expects good things ahead for the U.S., predicting a per-capita GDP of more than $63,000 by 2018. While challenges remain for the U.S., the country's GDP continues on an upward track despite the recent tax increases and implementation of sequestration.

If you're looking to take advantage of the U.S.' economic growth, look no further than the housing recovery. Home improvement retailers such as Home Depot (NYSE: HD  ) and Lowe's (NYSE: LOW  ) are at the center of this trend. Home Depot has done well by growing its profit and return on equity, and it grew sales by 14% in its most recent quarterly report -- although the stock's run-up of 63% over the last year gives pause. Lowe's smaller size has slowed the company down in relation to Home Depot, and while the stock has done well in gaining more than 50% over the past year, Lowe's will need to pick up same-store sales growth to match Home Depot. Still, both stocks look poised to capitalize on the American economy's resurgent growth.

No. 2: Norway, $56,663 per person

At No. 2, Norway is Europe's wealthiest nation. Like Switzerland, this economy has remained remarkably stable throughout Europe's debt crisis. Norway's GDP grew by 0.7% in 2013's first quarter as the nation's oil resources powered the country's wealth. While some Norwegian experts have warned that the country's dependence on oil and energy could hurt its future, Norway's doing well right now: Projections peg the country's mainland economy to grow by 2.75% this year.

The IMF's certainly bullish, projecting Norway's GDP per capita to grow to nearly $66,000 in 2018, maintaining its lead over the U.S. While Norwegian companies are hard to find on American stock exchanges, one low-risk way to gain Norwegian exposure is to buy shares in the main Big Oil firms. BP (NYSE: BP  ) and many of its competitors engage in exploration and drilling in the North Sea. Out of all the oil majors, however, BP may be the one stock to avoid in Norway: A government agency pushed a safety review on the company in late April following a leak at one of BP's North Sea fields last September. For now, expect this company to remain closely watched in Norway.

No. 1: Singapore, $61,567 per person

The wealthiest nation in the world's top 50 economies has been one of the hottest growth stories in recent years. Singapore's emergence as a business hub and tax haven -- research firm WealthInsight predicts that the country will surpass Switzerland as the world's largest offshore wealth hub by 2020 -- has been a boon for its population's standard of living. Foreign investment has poured into the nation, turning Singapore into Southeast Asia's pre-eminent economy. The country is expected to gain even more in the next few years, with the IMF expecting Singapore's GDP per capita to rise to an astounding $77,000 by 2018.

Report: Israel prefers Assad survives Syria conflict

It looks like the fortunes of Syria's Bashar Assad are changing for the better. After watching the war in Syria for two years now, the Israelis have come to the conclusion that Assad is still going to be around.  

Syria's friends also feel the same way. Russia has decided to send anti-ship missiles to Syria that have a range of 300 km. What this means is that the Americans will instantly chicken out. They will now maintain their naval forces at least 300 km away from Syrian territory.   (The US feels safer bombing poor and weak countries that have little or no means of defending themselves like Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan and other Club of Doom nations. The US is also aware of Syria's anti aircraft missiles which shot down a US made F4 Phantom jet fighter of the Turkish Airforce last year).

Coming back to the Israelis they have decided that it is better to have Assad in Syria than some jihadi extremists. Here is a truncated news report :

• 'Times of London' : Israel prefers "the devil it knows." 
• Assad to survive in role preferred by Israel in contrast to extremists  
• Better devil we know than demons from Arab world 
• weakened but intact regime preferable for Syria & Middle East
• Assad's tenacity underestimated
• overestimated rebels’ fighting power
• differing opinions about what outcome would benefit Israel
• Israel erred in estimates of how quickly Assad would fall  
• "underestimated" Assad's strength & life force of Syrian regime
• West military intervention could tip scales  
• Backed by Iran, Hezbollah, Syrian regime clawing back lost areas 
• Assad regime will be around for some time to come
• US, West prefer to stay directly out of conflict
• Assad shows no signs of cracking.
• government, under Iranian tutelage - impressive ability to adapt 
• over the course of April regime has hit back.
• Regime recaptured Otaiba, east of Damascus
• have driven rebels back in Qusayr area in central Homs
• vital Damascus - Homs highway remains open 
• regime has benefited from support of intn'l coalition
• Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, Iraq play central role 
• Assad regime will be around for some time to come

Here is the latest on Syria from The Star which supports the Times of London:

• Syrian army, Hezbollah attack rebels in border town 
• (Reuters) - Syria, Hezbollah retake major town near Lebanon 
• rebels clash with mechanised units & Hezbollah in Qusair
• warplanes bombed Qusair, shells hitting at 50 a minute
• army artillery form north & east, Hezbollah mortar from south & west

I think the Israelis will find a very profitable way to intrude in this conflict. They will kill many, many birds, camels, donkeys and horses with one stone. My guess is they will

i. provide weapons to the Syrian Army

ii. more importantly share "real time" battlefield intelligence with Syria

Israeli battlefield intelligence is top notch. They have spy satellites with day and night capabilities, they have superb drone capability (also day and night).  For example this picture here shows the Israeli Heron drone. 

(Heron TP is the size of a passenger jet, can fly 20 hours nonstop, reach Iran. Drone is as wide as a Boeing 737. A new stage in Israel’s long-range operational and intelligence capabilities. Heron TP is one of the largest unmanned aerial vehicles in the world.  It can fly at medium-to-high altitudes for more than 20 hours, while carrying a variety of payloads and advanced equipment weighing hundreds of kilograms for thousands of kilometers.  The Heron TP is capable of reaching Iran.)

They can spot the exact  disposition and movement of any rebel troops. It is also most likely that they have informers on all sides who can give them information. The Syrians certainly do not have real time battlefield intelligence capability anywhere near the Israeli level.

But there will be a trade off -  Israel will assist the Assad regime stay in power but in exchange for peace and many, many things.

For example the Hezbollah - Assad's allies and the sworn enemy to Israel - will be asked to cool it in Lebanon. This will secure the Lebanese border.

There is no need to strike a deal on the Golan Heights - the Israelis can hold it at will. But who knows - they may extract even more concessions on the Golan Heights.

Once Lebanon (Hizbollah) and Syria are secure, the Israelis will have more breathing space to turn their full attention towards the Saudi & Wahhabi financed Sunni Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwanul Muslimeen) which rules Egypt and Gaza and whose jihadi elements have started shooting rockets into Israel again from the Gaza and the Sinai (inside Egypt). Todate Israel has not retaliated against any of the rockets fired from the Sinai - in keeping with the Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel. But we do not know if that will hold if the jihadis fire more rockets into Israel. 

The Iranians may also be indirectly involved.  The Iranians are having their Presidential elections in June. One of their candidates is former President and reformer Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. This guy is liked by the US and Israel. Here is some news about him :

"former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's (entry) into the (presidential) race has re-energized reformists and brought backlash from hard-liners . .  (who) mocked nominees who hope the international sanctions over Tehran's disputed nuclear program will end if the country restores relations with the U.S. ... No high-profile candidate has proposed full restoration — but Rafsanjani has suggested that better relations (with the US) are possible."

Maybe in exchange for preserving Syria as an Iran friendly Shia regime, the Iranian ayatollahs may endorse a candidate who will be more US friendly and maybe strike a deal over the Iranian nuclear weapons. Then Israel will not have to strike Iran and more sanity will be restored in the Middle East. Smiles all round.

Here is something else. The US wants to see regime change in Syria. If Israel helps Assad stay in power, it also means that Netanyahu will be able to give a black eye to Obama - who does not see eye to eye with Netanyahu on Palestine. And if Israel supports Assad, it means they will be working hand in hand with Russia - another black eye for Obama. Many, many birds, camels, horses and donkeys with one stone. 

I think by the time this news was "leaked" to The Times of London, there must already be a deal between Israel, Syria, Iran and even Russia. Such things get leaked intentionally to the Press to tell the world what is really going on and who is calling the shots. In this case it is Israel again.