Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Pua calls govt's bluff over 'skyrocketing' sugar price
Harakahdaily,
31 January 2012
The claim that the government's subsidy for sugar increased has been questioned by a member of parliament who said global sugar price was tumbling.In response to Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s claim that sugar subsidies were increased due to skyrocketing global sugar price, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (right) pointed out that world sugar price had significantly dropped.Sugar price was increased by 20 sen in May 2011 to RM2.30 per kilogramme. Since January 2010 when its price stood at RM1.45/kg, there has been a 58.6 percent increase within just 18 months as part of the government’s subsidy removal exercise."What is extremely intriguing, however, was that global sugar prices over the past 6 months since the last price hike in May 2011 had in fact declined significantly, and not the purported ‘skyrocket’,” said Pua in a statement made available to Harakahdaily.Ismail earlier claimed that the government had to pump in extra 34 sen per kilogramme in subsidies for sugar to maintain the price at RM2.30 per kg due to pricier sugar price.“World prices have increased but we have decided not to raise the price here. We are doing what we can to reduce the people's burden,” said Ismail (left).Furnishing details, Pua said sugar price dropped 20.5 percent after hitting a peak of US$29.47 per hundred pounds in July 2011.Taking into account the 7 percent depreciation of the ringgit against the dollar over the past six month, Pua said the global sugar price would still have declined by 13.5 percent based on ringgit terms.Based on the calculation, Pua said the government's subsidy would also drop.“What is more perplexing is the fact that our subsidy had to increase by 170 percent to cope with the non-existent 'skyrocketing' global price of sugar,” he chided.According to Pua, 99 percent of Malaysia’s raw sugar requirements were imported and the local market was monopolised by only two refineries, the Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Holdings (MSM Holdings) and Tradewinds Corporation Bhd, which also acts as importers. These companies, revealed Pua, were linked to Felda with MSM Holdings a 71 percent subsidiary of FELDA-related entities while Tradewinds being controlled 43 percent by tycoon Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary, with another 20 percent owned by FELDA Global Ventures Holdings Sdn Bhd.“The question then is - whether the 170 percent increase in sugar subsidy or approximately RM198 million a year payable to MSM Holdings and Tradewinds, is in fact a thinly disguised attempt to fatten the profits of these two politically-connected companies,” he said.
31 January 2012
The claim that the government's subsidy for sugar increased has been questioned by a member of parliament who said global sugar price was tumbling.In response to Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s claim that sugar subsidies were increased due to skyrocketing global sugar price, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (right) pointed out that world sugar price had significantly dropped.Sugar price was increased by 20 sen in May 2011 to RM2.30 per kilogramme. Since January 2010 when its price stood at RM1.45/kg, there has been a 58.6 percent increase within just 18 months as part of the government’s subsidy removal exercise."What is extremely intriguing, however, was that global sugar prices over the past 6 months since the last price hike in May 2011 had in fact declined significantly, and not the purported ‘skyrocket’,” said Pua in a statement made available to Harakahdaily.Ismail earlier claimed that the government had to pump in extra 34 sen per kilogramme in subsidies for sugar to maintain the price at RM2.30 per kg due to pricier sugar price.“World prices have increased but we have decided not to raise the price here. We are doing what we can to reduce the people's burden,” said Ismail (left).Furnishing details, Pua said sugar price dropped 20.5 percent after hitting a peak of US$29.47 per hundred pounds in July 2011.Taking into account the 7 percent depreciation of the ringgit against the dollar over the past six month, Pua said the global sugar price would still have declined by 13.5 percent based on ringgit terms.Based on the calculation, Pua said the government's subsidy would also drop.“What is more perplexing is the fact that our subsidy had to increase by 170 percent to cope with the non-existent 'skyrocketing' global price of sugar,” he chided.According to Pua, 99 percent of Malaysia’s raw sugar requirements were imported and the local market was monopolised by only two refineries, the Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Holdings (MSM Holdings) and Tradewinds Corporation Bhd, which also acts as importers. These companies, revealed Pua, were linked to Felda with MSM Holdings a 71 percent subsidiary of FELDA-related entities while Tradewinds being controlled 43 percent by tycoon Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary, with another 20 percent owned by FELDA Global Ventures Holdings Sdn Bhd.“The question then is - whether the 170 percent increase in sugar subsidy or approximately RM198 million a year payable to MSM Holdings and Tradewinds, is in fact a thinly disguised attempt to fatten the profits of these two politically-connected companies,” he said.
to ponder upon....
Persecution is the first law of society because it is always easier to suppress criticism than to meet it.
- Howard Mumford Jones
Note:
Why do we still practice this first law?
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Sunday, January 29, 2012
to ponder upon.....
The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.
- H. L. Mencken
Note:
I am maybe radical, but I love my country and I am disturbed to ses it debauched!
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Thursday, January 26, 2012
to ponder upon.....
Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll.
The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole!
- Oscar Wilde
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
to ponder upon.....
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.
- Elbert Hubbard
Note: If you do nothing, say nothing, be nothing; what’s the purpose of your existence?
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Cut the crap about our failed public transportation
| J. D. Lovrenciear |
| The decades have rolled the traffic chaos and pathetic public transport into a monstrous gangrene that is eating away the Malaysians. And for this failure, the BN government must take the responsibility. |
Kalau kaki kencing manis, tidak potong merugikan
| Subky Abdul Latif, | 16 Jan 2012 |
Pofesor. Madya Atorry Hussein kata, PAS telah rugi kerana memecat Datuk Hasan Ali.
Saya kata, memang tokoh akademik itu telah berkata betul seperti yang dirakamkan dalam surah al-Asri yang bermaksud, sesungguhnya manusia itu sentiasa dalam kerugian.
Ketika dia dipecat, dia adalah ADUN PAS Gombak Setia. Apabila dia dipecat dari parti, maka PAS sudah tidak ada wakil rakyat di situ.
Siapa pun yang hendak menjaga kepentingan rakyat dan kawasan itu sesuai dengan kepentingan politik PAS di situ? Benar Hasan masih wakil rakyat di situ. Jika dia menjalankan tugasnya, maka dia sudah tentu tidak menjalankannya mengikut kepentingan PAS.
Seorang wakil rakyat PAS telah ditetapkan oleh PAS di zaman Dr. Burhanuddin al-Hilmy dulu mesti mendermakan 20 peratus dari elaunnya kepada parti. Bagi Anggota Parlimen kepada PAS Pusat dan bagi ADUN kepada PAS negeri. Apabila mereka pencen, maka caruman itu tinggal lima peratus saja.
Begitu juga kalau dia Menteri Besar atau Exco. Maka setiap bulan PAS dapat wang masuk 20 peratus dari elaun mereka dan lima peratus setelah pencen hinggalah mereka mati. Jika mereka dipecat peruntukan itu tentu hilang. Tidakkah rugi namanya?
Maka sebagai parti politik, PAS tidak sunyi dari kerugian. Ia juga rugi bila wakil rakyatnya kalah. Kalau ia menang, potongan elaun itu 20 peratus, tetapi bila kalah, PAS dapat lima peratus saja. Rugi juga.
Setelah Ustaz Hassan Shukri tidak jadi senator, dia bagi elaun pencennya setiap enam bulan sekali. Sebelum dia meninggal dia beri elaun untuk enam bulan yang akan datang. Didahulukannya pemberiannya itu. Bila dia mati, PAS tidak lagi dapat duit. Tidakkah PAS juga rugi?
Demikian apabila sekalian bekas wakil rakyat dan bekas senatornya mati. Banyak kerugian yang ditanggung oleh PAS?
Manusia itu begitu. Universiti melabor banyak terhadap profesornya untuk kepentingan kampusnya. Cukup kalau profesor itu lari ke universiti lain atau berhenti. Tidak rugikah universiti. Seperti Atorry Hussein, katakan tiba-tiba mati belum bersara. Tidak rugikah universiti? Tentulah rugi.
Kerajaan mengeluarkan beratus ribu belanja untuk menanggung seorang pelajar perubatan. Setelah tamat tempoh kontreknya berkhidmat dengan kerajaan dia letak jawatan bagi membuka klinik sendiri. Kerajaan telah kerugian dan terpaksa menanggung pelajar perubatan yang baru bagi mengganti doktor yang pergi itu.
Logiknya semua profesor itu diperlukan khidmatnya oleh universiti. Tetapi setengah profesor yang baik itu cenderung pula pada politik. Mereka pun berpolitik bersama pembangkang. Mereka sudah melanggar akta universiti. Universiti terpaksa buang mereka. Tentulah universiti rugi. Walau pun rugi tetapi universiti terpaksa buang juga mereka. Mengapa?
Antara profesor itu amat sayang pada isterinya. Tetapi isterinya sakit tenat. Menderita lama di hospital. Harapan pulih tidak ada. Dari menderita begitu, maka profesor redha, mati adalah lebih baik baginya. Profesor sayang padanya, apabila mati profesor kehilangan orang yang dikasihi. Rugi isteri mati, tetapi di sebaliknya memungkin profesor beristeri lain pula.
Semua manusia sayang akan kakinya. Tetapi apabila dia terkena sakit kencing manis, kakinya terpaksa dipotong. Apabila dipotong rugilah kakinya. Dia juga rugi kerana sudah tidak berkaki. Dia sayang pada kakinya. Tetapi kalau tidak dipotong kaki itu, dia pula akan mati cepat.
Oleh itu biarlah dia tidak berkaki asal dapat meneruskan hidup dalam keadaan cacat tetapi dapat lagi beribadat. Sesayang mana pun dia pada kakinya, tetapi dia terpaksa menerima hakikat membuang kakinya yang sudah tidak berguna dan memudaratkan jiwanya lebih baik.
Membuang kaki yang begitu lebih baik dari berkaki yang tidak berguna lagi.
Bukan PAS tidak sayang pada Hasan Ali. Tetapi politik itu, kata Tok Guru Haji Abdul Hadi dalam ucapan dasarnya di muktamar lalu, ada fiqahnya. Mufti Perak mahir fiqah lain tetapi tidak mahir fiqah politik.
Yang PAS bertindak terhadap Hasan itu adalah mengikut kehendak fiqah politik. Kalau kaki kencing manis terpaksa dipotong, tidak memotongnya lebih merugikan.
to ponder upon.....
Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive.
- Henry Steele Commager
Note:
If I were to say (mind the word ‘IF’): “Since I was small, I’ve look at the world map there has never been 2 Malaysia or 3Malaysia or 4Malaysia, there has only been 1Malaysia. So what’s the hype about 1Malaysia” Am I to be considered Unpatriotic? Am I an agent of Subversive?......???
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
to ponder.....
Analyses of others are actually expressions of our own needs and values.
Marshall Rosenberg
Note: Criticism of others is because our own needs and values is not being met?
Marshall Rosenberg
Note: Criticism of others is because our own needs and values is not being met?
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Terima kasih Kadir dedah rasuah ‘bom’ Umno
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Jan: Dewan Pemuda PAS Wilayah Persekutuan (DPPWP) mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Tan Sri Datuk Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (gambar), mantan menteri yang juga bekas Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno yang mendedahkan kegiatan rasuah Umno ketika pilihan raya yang lalu.
Selama ini Umno menafikan yang mereka mengamalkan rasuah atau membeli undi dengan memberikan wang ringgit dan barangan ketika pilihanraya.
Abdul Kadir yang dipetik oleh The Malaysian Insider menegaskan bahawa perkara itu memang berlaku dan disebut sebagai taktik “bom”.
“Ternyata Umno belum insaf dan baru-baru ini presiden dan seluruh pemimpin Umno turun ke serata negeri bagi mengagihkan dana 'bom' RM100 untuk pelajar sekolah, RM500 untuk isi rumah berpendapatan rendah dan RM200 untuk pelajar universiti,” kata Ketua DPPWP, Kamaruzaman Mohamad.
Katanya, agihan yang sepatutnya dibuat atas nama Kerajaan Malaysia dibuat atas kapasiti Umno BN bagi memastikan rakyat mengundi mereka dalam PRU13.
Tambahnya, DPPWP juga kesal kerana Kementerian Penerangan, Felda, Felcra, Unit Cawangan Khas (SB) dan agensi lain yang tidak disebut Abdul Kadir secara jelas dipergunakan oleh Umno bagi memenangkan Umno dalam pilihan raya.
Katanya, kenyataan Abd Kadir itu jelas menyokong pendedahan Tan Sri Abdul Rashid, mantan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) sebelum ini yang mendedahkan bahawa ada pihak berkepentingan yang menghalang mereka melaksanakan penggunaan dakwat dalam PRU12 yang lalu bagi memastikan kemenangan Umno BN.
Beliau berkata, campur tangan Umno dalam urusan pentadbiran kerajaan begitu kuat, sebab itulah Pakatan Rakyat sebelum ini mencadangkan supaya ada caretaker goverment selepas parlimen dibubarkan yang bukan kalangan ahli politik yang bertanding dalam pilihan raya.
Ujarnya lagi, DPPWP setuju dengan Abdul Kadir "Umno tidak perlu takut untuk kalah sekiranya ikhlas dalam perjuangan. Jika anda (Umno) kalah, terimanya; rakyat ubah kerajaan banyak kali di USA dan Australia”.
“Rakyat harus buka mata, seorang demi seorang yang pernah bekerja untuk Umno kini sudah tampil membuat pengakuan.
“Begitu liciknya politik Umno BN bagi memastikan mereka terus berkuasa, walaupun hingga terpaksa mengunakan cara yang keji dan tidak bermaruah,” ujarnya lagi.
Demi tembolok kekuasaan mereka, apa pun sanggup mereka lakukan, katanya. Hakikatnya, kata beliau segala duit yang diberikan adalah dari dana awam, milik rakyat bukan duit Umno, bak kata Mursyidul Am PAS, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat, "Umno bagi duit ambil, tapi undi, bagi kat PAS".
Selama ini Umno menafikan yang mereka mengamalkan rasuah atau membeli undi dengan memberikan wang ringgit dan barangan ketika pilihanraya.
Abdul Kadir yang dipetik oleh The Malaysian Insider menegaskan bahawa perkara itu memang berlaku dan disebut sebagai taktik “bom”.
“Ternyata Umno belum insaf dan baru-baru ini presiden dan seluruh pemimpin Umno turun ke serata negeri bagi mengagihkan dana 'bom' RM100 untuk pelajar sekolah, RM500 untuk isi rumah berpendapatan rendah dan RM200 untuk pelajar universiti,” kata Ketua DPPWP, Kamaruzaman Mohamad.
Katanya, agihan yang sepatutnya dibuat atas nama Kerajaan Malaysia dibuat atas kapasiti Umno BN bagi memastikan rakyat mengundi mereka dalam PRU13.
Tambahnya, DPPWP juga kesal kerana Kementerian Penerangan, Felda, Felcra, Unit Cawangan Khas (SB) dan agensi lain yang tidak disebut Abdul Kadir secara jelas dipergunakan oleh Umno bagi memenangkan Umno dalam pilihan raya.
Katanya, kenyataan Abd Kadir itu jelas menyokong pendedahan Tan Sri Abdul Rashid, mantan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) sebelum ini yang mendedahkan bahawa ada pihak berkepentingan yang menghalang mereka melaksanakan penggunaan dakwat dalam PRU12 yang lalu bagi memastikan kemenangan Umno BN.
Beliau berkata, campur tangan Umno dalam urusan pentadbiran kerajaan begitu kuat, sebab itulah Pakatan Rakyat sebelum ini mencadangkan supaya ada caretaker goverment selepas parlimen dibubarkan yang bukan kalangan ahli politik yang bertanding dalam pilihan raya.
Ujarnya lagi, DPPWP setuju dengan Abdul Kadir "Umno tidak perlu takut untuk kalah sekiranya ikhlas dalam perjuangan. Jika anda (Umno) kalah, terimanya; rakyat ubah kerajaan banyak kali di USA dan Australia”.
“Rakyat harus buka mata, seorang demi seorang yang pernah bekerja untuk Umno kini sudah tampil membuat pengakuan.
“Begitu liciknya politik Umno BN bagi memastikan mereka terus berkuasa, walaupun hingga terpaksa mengunakan cara yang keji dan tidak bermaruah,” ujarnya lagi.
Demi tembolok kekuasaan mereka, apa pun sanggup mereka lakukan, katanya. Hakikatnya, kata beliau segala duit yang diberikan adalah dari dana awam, milik rakyat bukan duit Umno, bak kata Mursyidul Am PAS, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat, "Umno bagi duit ambil, tapi undi, bagi kat PAS".
| Harakahdaily, | 18 Jan 2012 |
Monday, January 16, 2012
to ponder.....
Every criticism, judgment, diagnosis, and expression of anger is the tragic expression of an unmet need.
- Marshall Rosenberg
Note: Lets look at UPSI s' Adam Adli expression of anger and criticism, what need has not been met?
- Marshall Rosenberg
Note: Lets look at UPSI s' Adam Adli expression of anger and criticism, what need has not been met?
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Sunday, January 15, 2012
to ponder.....
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
- Leo Buscaglia
- Leo Buscaglia
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Thursday, January 12, 2012
to ponder.....
It is not change that causes anxiety; it is the feeling that we are without defenses in the presence of what we see as danger that causes anxiety.
from Immunity to Change
Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey
from Immunity to Change
Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Hold The Accolades!
January 11th, 2012
Hold The Accolades!
M. Bakri Musa
Now that Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah has acquitted Anwar Ibrahim on his “Sodomy II” charge, there is no end of praise heaped upon the judge specifically and the system of justice generally. Prime Minister Najib was quick with his smug assertion that “neither politics nor politicians have any influence over the dispensation of justice.” Foreign governments too have been effusive with their praises. Some now brazenly call for Anwar Ibrahim to apologize for his earlier criticisms of the system.
Hold the accolades! This sordid trial reveals everything that is rotten with the Malaysian system of justice. This case should never have been prosecuted in the first place. That it was reflected the level or more precisely lack of professionalism on the part of these career prosecutors. As for the trial, there were many instances where the judge could have thrown the case out, as when the physical evidence was introduced. Now the learned judge used that as the reason for acquittal.
As for Anwar Ibrahim, he and his family are rightfully grateful for the verdict, but hold on to your apology. Forgiveness, yes, as he said recently; that is always praiseworthy. He rightly cautioned that one court decision does not a judicial spring make. Besides, there is still the monumental task ahead to clear up the mess, and not just in the system of justice. Najib’s much-ballyhooed “transformation” is a charade concocted by his exorbitantly-paid consultants.
Doing Away With Anwar
The decision to do away with Anwar was made a long time ago. In opting for this particular route, they had hoped that whatever the outcome Anwar would be irreparably damaged by the smear. How they misjudged! The public remains convinced that the charge was politically motivated, and crassly at that, right from the very beginning.
The tragedy here, apart from the agony and humiliation Anwar and his family had endured, is that a delayed-adolescent college flunkey desperate for his 15 minutes of fame was being exploited. They used the poor boy as a battering rod, pardon my metaphor, to do in Anwar.
There is only one possible redeeming value to Judge Zabidin continuing this trial in its squalid entirety, and that is to expose the pathetic lack of professionalism of not just the prosecuting team but also the other professionals involved. This included the police officers and crime investigators to the forensic scientists tasked with the crucial DNA analysis and the senior specialists who examined Anwar’s accuser.
Consider those medical specialists. They failed in their duty to inform and educate the court; they owed the court their individual professional judgment, not a committee report. Unlike paid experts, those government doctors were not beholden to the accuser or accused, only to uphold the truth. If they had doubts they should so inform the court. Likewise those chemists; before they performed the DNA analyses they should be satisfied of the integrity of the specimens. If they were forced to perform tests on specimens of questionable integrity, they clearly should have informed the court of their doubts.
Those specialists were based at the General Hospital Kuala Lumpur, an apex institution in the government’s healthcare system; thus presumably they must be the best. They should also have known that this was a very high-profile case and that their performance would come under global scrutiny. It should have been an opportunity for them to showcase their talent and professionalism. Instead the judge singled out the inadequacy of the physical evidence, as reflected in their reports and testimonies, as the reason for acquittal.
The only physician who had acquitted himself well was the foreign doctor who first examined the accuser. That doctor had the conviction to document clearly his findings and impressions without first having to “discuss” it with his superiors. That he had to flee the country afterwards reveals much about our system of justice.
If in his written judgment Judge Zabidin were to comment on the quality of the prosecution’s expert witnesses and address the performance of the prosecution, in particular the alleged gross breach of professional conduct where one member was romantically linked with the accuser, then I will not only take back my criticism but would praise the learned judge profusely. Then there was considerable wisdom in his letting the trial go through its entire course – to serve as a much-needed “teaching moment” for the nation.
At its most benign the alleged prosecutorial misconduct could simply be the case of a young man and woman with raging hormones. At its most sinister, it is “witness coaching” brought to a whole new low level. When that wild allegation first surfaced, the prosecution dismissed it, only to admit later that the alleged woman was only a “junior” and thus an inconsequential member of the team. Never mind that she was a lawyer, a fellow professional.
The prosecution was led by the government’s top lawyer, the Solicitor-General. He is a career civil servant, not a political appointee and thus, at least theoretically, immune to political pressure. Nonetheless he should have known that in this day and age, the charge of sodomy is patently laughable. Major jurisdictions including the US and Canadian Supreme Courts have decriminalized the act except where it is non-consensual. Heck, even the Chinese Supreme Court has ruled similarly!
Even in Malaysia that statute has rarely been invoked. The only time it was used was in 1998, and the victim was again Anwar. That conviction was subsequently overturned on appeal, but not before he was incarcerated for six long years. If the Solicitor-General had invoked sexual harassment charges instead, that at least would have highlighted an all-too-common problem.
Even if the physical evidence had been compelling, recognizing that this was a high-profile case with all the political implications, and aware of the poor reputation of the judiciary in the eyes of the public, it would have been prudent to appoint an independent prosecutor. That would remove any suspicion of political influence. That the Solicitor-General did not again reflected the caliber of his judgment. The irony is that this case was decided soon after he submitted his early optional retirement!
The verdict not withstanding, many unanswered questions remain. Najib has yet to explain why he met this confused young man just days before he filed the complaint against Anwar. If, as Najib intimated, that they were discussing a scholarship, I can suggest a few other much more talented Malaysians now at top universities who are more deserving of such attention.
Najib and the other UMNO leaders are forever proclaiming that Malaysia is an Islamic state. In this case both the accuser and the accused are Muslims. Why not invoke the shari’a? They did not, for the obvious reason that had it been invoked, both accused and accuser would have to be charged as there was no element of force.
Far from being a turning point, this trial illustrated and highlighted how dysfunctional and ill-equipped our institutions and personnel are in the administration of justice. I predict two things: One, the judge’s written judgment would be long in coming; and two, he will not be bound for promotion any time soon.
As I suggested earlier, hold the accolades.
Hold The Accolades!
M. Bakri Musa
Now that Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah has acquitted Anwar Ibrahim on his “Sodomy II” charge, there is no end of praise heaped upon the judge specifically and the system of justice generally. Prime Minister Najib was quick with his smug assertion that “neither politics nor politicians have any influence over the dispensation of justice.” Foreign governments too have been effusive with their praises. Some now brazenly call for Anwar Ibrahim to apologize for his earlier criticisms of the system.
Hold the accolades! This sordid trial reveals everything that is rotten with the Malaysian system of justice. This case should never have been prosecuted in the first place. That it was reflected the level or more precisely lack of professionalism on the part of these career prosecutors. As for the trial, there were many instances where the judge could have thrown the case out, as when the physical evidence was introduced. Now the learned judge used that as the reason for acquittal.
As for Anwar Ibrahim, he and his family are rightfully grateful for the verdict, but hold on to your apology. Forgiveness, yes, as he said recently; that is always praiseworthy. He rightly cautioned that one court decision does not a judicial spring make. Besides, there is still the monumental task ahead to clear up the mess, and not just in the system of justice. Najib’s much-ballyhooed “transformation” is a charade concocted by his exorbitantly-paid consultants.
Doing Away With Anwar
The decision to do away with Anwar was made a long time ago. In opting for this particular route, they had hoped that whatever the outcome Anwar would be irreparably damaged by the smear. How they misjudged! The public remains convinced that the charge was politically motivated, and crassly at that, right from the very beginning.
The tragedy here, apart from the agony and humiliation Anwar and his family had endured, is that a delayed-adolescent college flunkey desperate for his 15 minutes of fame was being exploited. They used the poor boy as a battering rod, pardon my metaphor, to do in Anwar.
There is only one possible redeeming value to Judge Zabidin continuing this trial in its squalid entirety, and that is to expose the pathetic lack of professionalism of not just the prosecuting team but also the other professionals involved. This included the police officers and crime investigators to the forensic scientists tasked with the crucial DNA analysis and the senior specialists who examined Anwar’s accuser.
Consider those medical specialists. They failed in their duty to inform and educate the court; they owed the court their individual professional judgment, not a committee report. Unlike paid experts, those government doctors were not beholden to the accuser or accused, only to uphold the truth. If they had doubts they should so inform the court. Likewise those chemists; before they performed the DNA analyses they should be satisfied of the integrity of the specimens. If they were forced to perform tests on specimens of questionable integrity, they clearly should have informed the court of their doubts.
Those specialists were based at the General Hospital Kuala Lumpur, an apex institution in the government’s healthcare system; thus presumably they must be the best. They should also have known that this was a very high-profile case and that their performance would come under global scrutiny. It should have been an opportunity for them to showcase their talent and professionalism. Instead the judge singled out the inadequacy of the physical evidence, as reflected in their reports and testimonies, as the reason for acquittal.
The only physician who had acquitted himself well was the foreign doctor who first examined the accuser. That doctor had the conviction to document clearly his findings and impressions without first having to “discuss” it with his superiors. That he had to flee the country afterwards reveals much about our system of justice.
If in his written judgment Judge Zabidin were to comment on the quality of the prosecution’s expert witnesses and address the performance of the prosecution, in particular the alleged gross breach of professional conduct where one member was romantically linked with the accuser, then I will not only take back my criticism but would praise the learned judge profusely. Then there was considerable wisdom in his letting the trial go through its entire course – to serve as a much-needed “teaching moment” for the nation.
At its most benign the alleged prosecutorial misconduct could simply be the case of a young man and woman with raging hormones. At its most sinister, it is “witness coaching” brought to a whole new low level. When that wild allegation first surfaced, the prosecution dismissed it, only to admit later that the alleged woman was only a “junior” and thus an inconsequential member of the team. Never mind that she was a lawyer, a fellow professional.
The prosecution was led by the government’s top lawyer, the Solicitor-General. He is a career civil servant, not a political appointee and thus, at least theoretically, immune to political pressure. Nonetheless he should have known that in this day and age, the charge of sodomy is patently laughable. Major jurisdictions including the US and Canadian Supreme Courts have decriminalized the act except where it is non-consensual. Heck, even the Chinese Supreme Court has ruled similarly!
Even in Malaysia that statute has rarely been invoked. The only time it was used was in 1998, and the victim was again Anwar. That conviction was subsequently overturned on appeal, but not before he was incarcerated for six long years. If the Solicitor-General had invoked sexual harassment charges instead, that at least would have highlighted an all-too-common problem.
Even if the physical evidence had been compelling, recognizing that this was a high-profile case with all the political implications, and aware of the poor reputation of the judiciary in the eyes of the public, it would have been prudent to appoint an independent prosecutor. That would remove any suspicion of political influence. That the Solicitor-General did not again reflected the caliber of his judgment. The irony is that this case was decided soon after he submitted his early optional retirement!
The verdict not withstanding, many unanswered questions remain. Najib has yet to explain why he met this confused young man just days before he filed the complaint against Anwar. If, as Najib intimated, that they were discussing a scholarship, I can suggest a few other much more talented Malaysians now at top universities who are more deserving of such attention.
Najib and the other UMNO leaders are forever proclaiming that Malaysia is an Islamic state. In this case both the accuser and the accused are Muslims. Why not invoke the shari’a? They did not, for the obvious reason that had it been invoked, both accused and accuser would have to be charged as there was no element of force.
Far from being a turning point, this trial illustrated and highlighted how dysfunctional and ill-equipped our institutions and personnel are in the administration of justice. I predict two things: One, the judge’s written judgment would be long in coming; and two, he will not be bound for promotion any time soon.
As I suggested earlier, hold the accolades.
to ponder.....
May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true. May you always know the truth and see the lights surrounding you. May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong. May you stay forever young.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Tweet from @OvertDictionary
@OvertDictionary: Political Consciousness: something which is consciously erased by the media and replaced with thoughts of fame and wealth.
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Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.
to ponder......
Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.
Oprah
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
What the 901 verdict really proved
What the 901 verdict really proved
January 10, 2012
JAN 10 (TMI) — When I wrote about how “The law has truly become an ass” back in February 2010 on the battle of the two mentris besar in the Perak power grab impasse, I meant it.
I was totally disgusted and appalled by the apex court finally returning a verdict of 5-0 in favour of Zambry Abdul Kadir over Nizar Jamaluddin, and whatever little regard I had for the judiciary entirely dissipated with that decision. It has never recovered since.
The High Court’s acquittal of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday has not changed my opinion of the judiciary either. And it’s not just about being a sceptic as the saying “a swallow doesn’t make a summer” suggests. It’s also not about the presiding judge not dismissing this frivolous case from the outset.
Lest you’re still wondering about my despondency and disdain for the judiciary, it’s all about the extreme humiliation we are subjected to as the country is being given global real-time coverage by CNN and Al-Jazeera, et al… all because of Malaysia’s obsession with someone’s anal virginity.
If Mohd Saiful Bukhari’s allegation of being sodomised eight or nine times over a period of two months by a 60-plus-old man with a bad back is to be believed, it doesn’t take a pundit to tell you that the predator must by now be whipped and jailed.
Given the firepower of the government machinery, both overt and covert, and better still for the investigating team, that it’s the second sodomy charge against Anwar, you would have thought they’d be able to prove this charge beyond the shadow of reasonable doubt! All the more if the government truly believes that this one man is Public Enemy No. 1!
But alas, by God’s grace, mercy and infinite knowledge, and to the amazement and shock of everyone present in court yesterday morning, a verdict of “acquittal and discharge” was handed down by the judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah in less than three minutes. I was in court and like everyone else was simply dumbfounded! Again, this former deputy PM has been exonerated.
I had been willing to accept any verdict and in fact scenario-planned all eventualities. Every scenario, best and worst case, has its upside and downside for both sides i.e. the federal government (Barisan Nasional) and the opposition (Pakatan Rakyat).
But to have the BN leaders, including the PM, unashamedly telling the rakyat that the judiciary is independent and credible because it acquitted Anwar is certainly the first darnedest thing said in 2012 in the political arena.
At the start of the new year, respected blogger Marina Mahathir called for a “End Stupid Statements” campaign. It looks like we really need one after reading and hearing some of the statements made after yesterday’s verdict.
Lest you fail to see the perverted logic of the BN leaders’ statement, let’s try a different scenario where the verdict came back as “guilty”. Is the PM and other leaders saying that if the court found Anwar guilty of sodomy, the judiciary is no longer independent and credible?
This is idiocy and lunacy of the severest degree! A judiciary that is independent and has integrity is not judged by a single verdict. It has to gain the trust and respect of the entire citizenry through doggedly delivering justice without fear or favour. Every time.
As if that statement of Anwar’s acquittal proving the judiciary is indeed independent wasn’t moronic enough to make this nation a laughing stock again in the eyes of the global legal community, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, alleged by many to be the master strategist of Sodomy1 and perhaps as claimed by some to be working in concert with the current administration in Sodomy 2, declares that the acquittal proves there is no conspiracy against Anwar.
Despite the 87 days of court hearing, 27 witnesses for the prosecution team, the judge could rule that the prosecution had not done enough to prove Anwar had committed sodomy.
It’s not that the prosecution had not done enough. There was simply not enough evidence. And for a second attempt, some might allude, failure to prosecute was indeed extremely disgraceful. To have a verdict that the DNA and oral evidence were uncorroborated didn’t speak well not of a conspiracy theory ibut of the conspirators in a Sodomy 2.0.. sigh again.
And finally, the cost of the all this legal wrangling. Who bears it? And how much exactly is the burden to tax-payers’ money? Saiful is now mulling an appeal. Sigh.
The buck stops with you, Mr PM! Let’s stop this gutter politics. Let’s all make a commitment to build this country of ours to a great and respectable nation again.
Yes, we are in a zero-sum game, but let it be on the plane of policy advocacy, performance, and political-intellectual acumen and not a destructive gutter politics of the worst order. Let us be a functional democracy and stop doing more of the same things.
This is the path to genuine reform and redemption.
If we are in denial, we do it at our peril and we will die by our own swords!
Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Executive Director,
PAS Research Centre, MP for Kuala Selangor.
January 10, 2012
JAN 10 (TMI) — When I wrote about how “The law has truly become an ass” back in February 2010 on the battle of the two mentris besar in the Perak power grab impasse, I meant it.
I was totally disgusted and appalled by the apex court finally returning a verdict of 5-0 in favour of Zambry Abdul Kadir over Nizar Jamaluddin, and whatever little regard I had for the judiciary entirely dissipated with that decision. It has never recovered since.
The High Court’s acquittal of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday has not changed my opinion of the judiciary either. And it’s not just about being a sceptic as the saying “a swallow doesn’t make a summer” suggests. It’s also not about the presiding judge not dismissing this frivolous case from the outset.
Lest you’re still wondering about my despondency and disdain for the judiciary, it’s all about the extreme humiliation we are subjected to as the country is being given global real-time coverage by CNN and Al-Jazeera, et al… all because of Malaysia’s obsession with someone’s anal virginity.
If Mohd Saiful Bukhari’s allegation of being sodomised eight or nine times over a period of two months by a 60-plus-old man with a bad back is to be believed, it doesn’t take a pundit to tell you that the predator must by now be whipped and jailed.
Given the firepower of the government machinery, both overt and covert, and better still for the investigating team, that it’s the second sodomy charge against Anwar, you would have thought they’d be able to prove this charge beyond the shadow of reasonable doubt! All the more if the government truly believes that this one man is Public Enemy No. 1!
But alas, by God’s grace, mercy and infinite knowledge, and to the amazement and shock of everyone present in court yesterday morning, a verdict of “acquittal and discharge” was handed down by the judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah in less than three minutes. I was in court and like everyone else was simply dumbfounded! Again, this former deputy PM has been exonerated.
I had been willing to accept any verdict and in fact scenario-planned all eventualities. Every scenario, best and worst case, has its upside and downside for both sides i.e. the federal government (Barisan Nasional) and the opposition (Pakatan Rakyat).
But to have the BN leaders, including the PM, unashamedly telling the rakyat that the judiciary is independent and credible because it acquitted Anwar is certainly the first darnedest thing said in 2012 in the political arena.
At the start of the new year, respected blogger Marina Mahathir called for a “End Stupid Statements” campaign. It looks like we really need one after reading and hearing some of the statements made after yesterday’s verdict.
Lest you fail to see the perverted logic of the BN leaders’ statement, let’s try a different scenario where the verdict came back as “guilty”. Is the PM and other leaders saying that if the court found Anwar guilty of sodomy, the judiciary is no longer independent and credible?
This is idiocy and lunacy of the severest degree! A judiciary that is independent and has integrity is not judged by a single verdict. It has to gain the trust and respect of the entire citizenry through doggedly delivering justice without fear or favour. Every time.
As if that statement of Anwar’s acquittal proving the judiciary is indeed independent wasn’t moronic enough to make this nation a laughing stock again in the eyes of the global legal community, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, alleged by many to be the master strategist of Sodomy1 and perhaps as claimed by some to be working in concert with the current administration in Sodomy 2, declares that the acquittal proves there is no conspiracy against Anwar.
Despite the 87 days of court hearing, 27 witnesses for the prosecution team, the judge could rule that the prosecution had not done enough to prove Anwar had committed sodomy.
It’s not that the prosecution had not done enough. There was simply not enough evidence. And for a second attempt, some might allude, failure to prosecute was indeed extremely disgraceful. To have a verdict that the DNA and oral evidence were uncorroborated didn’t speak well not of a conspiracy theory ibut of the conspirators in a Sodomy 2.0.. sigh again.
And finally, the cost of the all this legal wrangling. Who bears it? And how much exactly is the burden to tax-payers’ money? Saiful is now mulling an appeal. Sigh.
The buck stops with you, Mr PM! Let’s stop this gutter politics. Let’s all make a commitment to build this country of ours to a great and respectable nation again.
Yes, we are in a zero-sum game, but let it be on the plane of policy advocacy, performance, and political-intellectual acumen and not a destructive gutter politics of the worst order. Let us be a functional democracy and stop doing more of the same things.
This is the path to genuine reform and redemption.
If we are in denial, we do it at our peril and we will die by our own swords!
Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Executive Director,
PAS Research Centre, MP for Kuala Selangor.
Monday, January 9, 2012
to ponder......(I am back.....)
Ah, world, what lessons you prepare for us, even in the leafless winter, ... I am thinking now of grief and getting past it. I feel my boots trying to leave the ground, I feel my heart pumping hard. I want to think again of dangerous and noble things. I want to be light and frolicsome. I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing, as though I had wings.
-Starlings in Winter by Mary Oliver
-Starlings in Winter by Mary Oliver
Dr Ahmad Azman Mohd Anuar
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor
Tel: +60136668334
Media dan pilihan raya adil
Media dan pilihan raya adil
Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang,
Demokrasi adalah hak rakyat untuk menjadi hakim dalam sistem politik moden, sebagai satu proses untuk memilih kepimpinan mereka. Terminologi akar umbi “dēmokratía” yang berasal dari bahasa Greek ini memberi maksud – “rule by the people” atau “pemerintahan oleh rakyat”. Pemahaman terhadap maksud demokrasi ini yang pada pandangan Barat tidak mempunyai kaitan dengan Tuhan Yang maha Pencipta, telah diperkembangkan dan disuntik roh hubungan manusia-Tuhan menerusi pandangan para sarjana Islam dalam bentuk penulisan di sepanjang zaman kegemilangan Islam. Antaranya kitab-kitab hasil karangan para ulama Islam dalam aspek politik seperti karya tersohor Muqaddimah karangan Ibnu Khaldun (1332-1406 M), Al Mawardi (972-1058 M), Al Ghazali (1058 - 1111M), Imam Al Haramain Al Juwayni (1028 -1085M ), Ibnu Taimiyyah (1263 -1328M), Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (1292-1350M) dan lain-lainnya yang turut diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Eropah. Encyclopaedia Britannica (15th ed.,Vol.9, p.148) antaranya memuatkan testimoni ahli sejarah British, Arnold J.Toynbee, memperakukan bahawa karya Muqaddimah adalah “membicarakan aspek falsafah sejarah yang paling hebat pernah ditulis oleh sesiapa di sepanjang zaman”.
Sebelumnya negara-negara Eropah yang dihimpit kezaliman terpaksa melakukan revolusi berdarah yang mengorbankan raja, pemimpin dan rakyat.
Sekiranya kita mengkaji hal ini secara lebih jauh dan mendalam, Al-Quran sebenarnya telah menceritakan kisah-kisah benar perjuangan para Rasul A.S. berdakwah, umpamanya Nabi Ibrahim dan Nabi Musa AS, para nabi ini dalam masa yang sama menentang kerajaan yang zalim, menindas dan memperhambakan rakyat, serta menyalah gunakan harta negara mengikut hawa nafsu. Walau pun tamadun kebendaannya tersergam menakjubkan, seperti 138 buah binaan Piramid di Mesir, Petra di Jordan, yang kesemuanya masih menjadi kesan sejarah yang dibanggakan sehingga zaman terkini, tetapi dilupakan betapa tamadun itu dibina di atas mayat-mayat rakyat yang diperhambakan.
Semua kerajaan zalim ini dinamakan jahiliyyah, walau pun dianggap bertamadun, semuanya berakhir dengan kejatuhan yang meninggalkan nama-nama buruk yang dikutuk dalam catatan sejarah, walau pun meninggalkan bangunan dan binaan yang indah. Ramai yang tidak menyedari bahawa Allah SWT mengutuskan para Rasul memimpin rakyat menentang kerajaan-kerajaan yang sangat zalim itu.
Apabila Nabi Muhammad SAW berjaya menegakkan negara dengan petunjuk Al Quran dengan sempurna sehinggalah wafat meninggal dunia, Baginda SAW telah berjaya mendidik para sahabatnya. Dalam sejarah generasi awal Islam, khususnya di zaman Khulafa Rasyidin yang paling banyak menjadi teladan, setiap tokoh Khalifah yang dipilih secara musyawarah menyampaikan ucapan, bahawa ketaatan kepada pemimpin adalah tidak mutlak, dinyatakan syarat yang tegas, selagi pemimpin itu tidak zalim dan tidak menyeleweng daripada perintah Allah dan Rasul.
Para ulama tafsir Al Quran, Hadith, sehingga ilmu Tasawuf yang paling teliti mengecualikan takrif mengumpat yang dikira dosa besar, apabila mendedahkan kejahatan yang membawa fasik daripada seseorang yang bertaraf pemimpin di kalangan ulama dan umara (ketua negara), kerana kejahatan kalangan ini sangat mempengaruhi masyarakat umum. Mereka menamakan perkara Al Jarhu wa Ta’dil, sehingga menjadi istilah ilmu Asanid (untuk mensahihkan sesuatu riwayat) dalam meriwayatkan hadith dan lain-lain sumber ajaran Islam.
Para ulama Islam dengan tegas menyatakan pendedahan kejahatan dan kebaikan seseorang menjadi hukum wajib apabila menjadi saksi di mahkamah, bagi menjamin berlakunya keadilan kepada hakim yang membuat keputusan. Saksi bohong pula berdosa besar dan boleh dijatuhkan hukuman mengikut ukuran sesuatu tuduhan.
Sistem Demokrasi Moden melantik rakyat menjadi hakim bagi menentukan pemimpin atau parti yang memerintah negara. Mengikut ajaran Islam pula, urusan politik memilih pemimpin adalah amanah yang sangat besar. Maka pilihan raya adalah mahkamah rakyat dalam menunaikan amanah besar ini.
Semua negara yang maju menjadikan pilihan raya sebagai peluang untuk memilih kerajaan yang adil dan mampu memajukan negara serta membela rakyat. Setiap kelemahan dan kesilapan menyebabkan kerajaan dan pemimpin akan dihukum oleh rakyat dengan adil dan telus. Para pemimpin pula mempunyai maruah tinggi dan berjiwa besar, rela dihukum dalam pilihan raya atau meletakkan jawatan sebelum pilihan raya, kalau betul-betul bersalah atau walau pun tidak bersalah. Kalau sebab fitnah maka nilai tambahnya sangat besar, kalau pun bersalah maka peluang ini dimanafaatkan untuk bertaubat dan membaiki imej.
Dalam amalan Demokrasi adil, peranan media disemua lapangan, dikira sangat penting bagi pilihanraya yang adil, kerana mereka meletakkan media sebagai saksi kepada mahkamah rakyat untuk mejatuhkan hukuman dengan adil, kerana pengundi yang membuat keputusan adil wajib mendapat maklumat yang benar dan teliti. Adalah tidak adil bagi pengundi untuk membuat keputusan dengan kempen sebelah pihak sahaja dengan pihak satu lagi mempunyai peluang yang sangat terhad, atau peluang yang tidak sama rata, tidak saksama dan adil. Keadaan terus menerus menjadi penyakit lebih parah hingga merosakkan negara kalau berlaku politik wang rasuah bagi mengabui pemikiran rakyat.
Maka cara yang benar dan adil ialah media diberi peluang secara bebas kepada semua pihak yang terlibat dalam pilihan raya, sama ada kerajaan atau pembangkang. Sehingga bertaraf sama di sepanjang masa, supaya rakyat sentiasa melakukan muhasabah terhadap kerajaan, parti dan wakil rakyat mereka. Tuduhan yang benar terimalah hukuman dengan adil, tuduhan fitnah pula terimalah padahnya, sama ada melalui undang-undang pengawalan dan pengawasan media atau keputusan rakyat dalam pilihan raya.
Ada negara yang memberi peluang secara lebih terperinci, dibuka peluang semua pemimpin utama parti berhujah dalam media, samada secara debat atau berdailog secara lansung dan terbuka. Semua pihak bukan sahaja boleh menonton dalam kaca TV, bahkan boleh melibatkan diri dengan berbagai-bagai soalan. Seluruh rakyat boleh menilai secara langsung terhadap ketokohan dan peribadi pemimpin atau bakal pemimpin dengan lebih teliti, kerana memilih pemimpin adalah amanah yang sangat berat.
Selepas pilihan raya media tetap diberi hak sepanjang masa melakukan muhasabah bagi pihak rakyat dan negara. Pihak media yang salah laku juga boleh dihukum dengan tindakan undang-undang yang adil atau dipulau oleh rakyat.
Dalam sejarah Islam, apabila Khalifah Abu Bakar RA dipilih menjadi Khalifah selepas wafatnya Rasulullah S.A.W. beliau menyampaikan ucapan sulungnya :
“Wahai tuan-tuan !, Saya telah dipilih menjadi pemimpin kamu, pada hal saya bukanlah orang yang terbaik di kalangan kamu. Sekiranya saya berlaku baik tolonglah saya, sekiranya saya melakukan kesilapan perbetulkan saya, benar adalah amanah, bohong adalah khianat “.
Inilah contoh keterbukaan seorang pemimpin yang menjadi teladan, meminta semua pihak berlaku ikhlas dan berani, jangan mengampu sehingga berbohong, yang betul dibantu, yang salah diperbetulkan, yang silap ditegur secara beradab, kalau menjadi makhluk perosak maka diturunkan dengan cara setimpal .
Para ulama melaporkan dalam kitab-kitab karangan mereka, banyak contoh di zaman keemasan sejarah Islam, apabila penganutnya disemua peringkat, pemimpin dan rakyat bersikap terbuka memberi nasihat dan teguran menunaikan kewajipan muhasabah. Hasil penulisan yang berharga ini dipungut oleh para orientalis sehingga mempengaruhi perubahan Demokrasi Moden daripada Demokrasi purba.
Kita menyaksikan berlaku berbagai-bagai peristiwa dalam dunia terkini, sejak masa terdekat di abad yang lalu dan yang paling mutakhir, apabila negara-negara dunia yang bertanggungjawab sentiasa mengislahkan (menambah baik) amalan Demokrasi masing-masing. Demokrasi pilihanraya pula bukanlah semata-mata memangkah kertas undi, tetapi hak demokrasi berpilihan raya menjangkaui semua proses pendaftaran pengundi, peraturan yang adil, media yang bebas, pihak berkuasa yang berkecuali, sehinggalah kepada kebebasan rakyat memilih tanpa sebarang elemen rasuah yang boleh mempengaruhi mereka.
Di negara Eropah dan Amerika, mereka melaksanakan hak media menjadi saksi adil kepada rakyat, termasuklah juga di negara Asia Tenggara seperti Filipina, Indonesia dan Thailand. Rakyat menukarkan kerajaan berbagai parti silih berganti melalui pilihan raya, sehingga tidak ada parti yang boleh memerintah dalam tempoh yang terlalu lama apabila melakukan kesilapan atau mengalami kelemahan. Ada juga berlaku parti yang memerintah mengundurkan diri lebih awal, apabila dituduh dalam perkara besar, memberi peluang diadakan pilihanraya semula untuk mendapat kepercayaan rakyat seperti yang berlaku di Itali dan Greece beberapa bulan lalu.
Ada yang sekadar mendapat kepercayaan di parlimen sahaja dengan memberi hak tanpa paksaan kepada wakil rakyat termasuk daripada parti kerajaan yang memerintah. Ada juga presiden atau perdana menteri atau menteri kabinet meletakkan jawatan lebih awal. Semuanya berlaku apabila terdapat pendedahan media secara adil kepada rakyat dan semua pihak merasa bertanggungjawab menunaikan amanah.
Ada negara yang berani memberi kebenaran kepada Parti politik daripada media cetak sehinggalah memiliki stesyen TV yang boleh menyatakan dasar dan perjuangan dan perbezaannya dengan kerajaan dan Parti lain. Terpulanglah kepada rakyat untuk membuat penilaian sendiri, atau semua media ini diselia menerusi undang-undang yang mengawasinya.
Malangnya masih banyak kalangan negara membangun termasuk Malaysia, ada yang mendakwa sudah bertahap maju, pada hal tercorot, bukan sahaja tercorot dalam bidang ekonomi mengisi perut rakyat, bahkan tercorok juga dalam bidang minda kefahaman berpolitik sehingga membodohkan rakyat dengan kawalan media supaya berpihak kepada parti yang menjadi kerajaan sehingga rakyat menjadi jahil murakkab (jahil yang tidak tahu dirinya jahil dan merasa bijak). Maka berlakulah minda tertutup dan terkongkong. Mana-mana pihak yang menegur kerajaan termasuk dalam kerajaan sendiri pun tidak diberi hak yang sewajarnya untuk membuka minda yang bijak memperkasakan rakyat dan kerajaan sendiri. Maka jadilah kerajaan itu Maha Suci daripada segala sifat kekurangan, walau pun pemimpinnya adalah makhluk manusia, cuma berada di singgahsana dan kerusi memerintah negara berlagak seperti Tuhan.
Menyekat kebebasan media boleh melemahkan kerajaan sendiri kerana sentiasa syok sendiri, tanpa menyedari kesilapan dan kelemahan, atau menutup kelemahan dan kesilapan secara degil, atau sentiasa menipu diri sendiri menggunakan media, akhirnya tamat riwayat cara memalukan dan terkutuk sehingga telah mati tanpa taubat, dan berada dalam kubur terus dikutuk masyarakat yang dizaliminya.
Peranan media mengikut Islam ditempatkan dalam medan Jihad Akbar sekiranya berani menyatakan benar dan adil, menentang kezaliman, kerana pengaruhnya yang besar dalam masyarakat awam yang lemah. Banyak negara melahirkan tokoh media yang berani sehingga dibunuh dan dipenjara, seperti di negara komunis di zaman tabir dan kuku besi, negara barat dan negara Asia dan Afrika juga melahirkan tokoh Islah di kalangan media.
Bagi umat Islam kerajaan dan pemimpinnya adalah ujian dalam kehidupan dunia, sebelum dicabut nyawa dan disumbat kedalam kubur, memasuki alam akhirat. Maka menjadi hikmat besar apabila seseorang Islam disunatkan berwirid selepas solat dengan firman Allah SWT :
قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ (26) تُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَتُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَتَرْزُقُ مَنْ تَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ (27 ) آل عمران .
Maksudnya : “Katakanlah: "Wahai Tuhanku yang mempunyai kerajaan, Engkau berikan kerajaan kepada sesiapa yang Engkau kehendaki dan Engkau cabut kerajaan dari sesiapa yang Engkau kehendaki. Engkau muliakan sesiapa yang Engkau kehendaki dan Engkau hinakan sesiapa yang Engkau kehendaki. di tangan Engkaulah segala kebajikan. Sesungguhnya Engkau Maha Kuasa atas segala sesuatu. Engkau masukkan malam ke dalam siang dan Engkau masukkan siang ke dalam malam. Engkau keluarkan yang hidup dari yang mati, dan Engkau keluarkan yang mati dari yang hidup dan Engkau beri rezeki kepada siapa yang Engkau kehendaki tanpa hisab (batas)".
Menunjukkan bahawa Allah SWT tidak mengekalkan kerajaan yang memerintah selama-lamanya, sama ada adil atau zalim, yang kekal hanya kerajaan Allah yang mencipta dan memiliki seluruh alam. Kerajaan yang silih berganti adalah ujian menunaikan amanah dalam kehidupan dunia. Kerajaan yang adil menjadi teladan, kerajaan yang zalim menjadi iktibar.
Peranan Media wajib menjadi saksi yang adil kepada rakyat, menyatakan yang benar dan meyebarkannya dan mengkritik membina dan akhirnya mendedahkan kesilapan dan kezaliman, mengambil peluang fadilat sabda Rasulullah S.A.W. : ”Jihad paling besar pahalanya ialah menyatakan yang benar kepada kerajaan yang zalim “.
Kalangan ulama soleh menegaskan;”Orang yang diam menyembunyikan yang benar adalah syaitan bisu”.
Presiden PAS
Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang,
Demokrasi adalah hak rakyat untuk menjadi hakim dalam sistem politik moden, sebagai satu proses untuk memilih kepimpinan mereka. Terminologi akar umbi “dēmokratía” yang berasal dari bahasa Greek ini memberi maksud – “rule by the people” atau “pemerintahan oleh rakyat”. Pemahaman terhadap maksud demokrasi ini yang pada pandangan Barat tidak mempunyai kaitan dengan Tuhan Yang maha Pencipta, telah diperkembangkan dan disuntik roh hubungan manusia-Tuhan menerusi pandangan para sarjana Islam dalam bentuk penulisan di sepanjang zaman kegemilangan Islam. Antaranya kitab-kitab hasil karangan para ulama Islam dalam aspek politik seperti karya tersohor Muqaddimah karangan Ibnu Khaldun (1332-1406 M), Al Mawardi (972-1058 M), Al Ghazali (1058 - 1111M), Imam Al Haramain Al Juwayni (1028 -1085M ), Ibnu Taimiyyah (1263 -1328M), Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (1292-1350M) dan lain-lainnya yang turut diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Eropah. Encyclopaedia Britannica (15th ed.,Vol.9, p.148) antaranya memuatkan testimoni ahli sejarah British, Arnold J.Toynbee, memperakukan bahawa karya Muqaddimah adalah “membicarakan aspek falsafah sejarah yang paling hebat pernah ditulis oleh sesiapa di sepanjang zaman”.
Sebelumnya negara-negara Eropah yang dihimpit kezaliman terpaksa melakukan revolusi berdarah yang mengorbankan raja, pemimpin dan rakyat.
Sekiranya kita mengkaji hal ini secara lebih jauh dan mendalam, Al-Quran sebenarnya telah menceritakan kisah-kisah benar perjuangan para Rasul A.S. berdakwah, umpamanya Nabi Ibrahim dan Nabi Musa AS, para nabi ini dalam masa yang sama menentang kerajaan yang zalim, menindas dan memperhambakan rakyat, serta menyalah gunakan harta negara mengikut hawa nafsu. Walau pun tamadun kebendaannya tersergam menakjubkan, seperti 138 buah binaan Piramid di Mesir, Petra di Jordan, yang kesemuanya masih menjadi kesan sejarah yang dibanggakan sehingga zaman terkini, tetapi dilupakan betapa tamadun itu dibina di atas mayat-mayat rakyat yang diperhambakan.
Semua kerajaan zalim ini dinamakan jahiliyyah, walau pun dianggap bertamadun, semuanya berakhir dengan kejatuhan yang meninggalkan nama-nama buruk yang dikutuk dalam catatan sejarah, walau pun meninggalkan bangunan dan binaan yang indah. Ramai yang tidak menyedari bahawa Allah SWT mengutuskan para Rasul memimpin rakyat menentang kerajaan-kerajaan yang sangat zalim itu.
Apabila Nabi Muhammad SAW berjaya menegakkan negara dengan petunjuk Al Quran dengan sempurna sehinggalah wafat meninggal dunia, Baginda SAW telah berjaya mendidik para sahabatnya. Dalam sejarah generasi awal Islam, khususnya di zaman Khulafa Rasyidin yang paling banyak menjadi teladan, setiap tokoh Khalifah yang dipilih secara musyawarah menyampaikan ucapan, bahawa ketaatan kepada pemimpin adalah tidak mutlak, dinyatakan syarat yang tegas, selagi pemimpin itu tidak zalim dan tidak menyeleweng daripada perintah Allah dan Rasul.
Para ulama tafsir Al Quran, Hadith, sehingga ilmu Tasawuf yang paling teliti mengecualikan takrif mengumpat yang dikira dosa besar, apabila mendedahkan kejahatan yang membawa fasik daripada seseorang yang bertaraf pemimpin di kalangan ulama dan umara (ketua negara), kerana kejahatan kalangan ini sangat mempengaruhi masyarakat umum. Mereka menamakan perkara Al Jarhu wa Ta’dil, sehingga menjadi istilah ilmu Asanid (untuk mensahihkan sesuatu riwayat) dalam meriwayatkan hadith dan lain-lain sumber ajaran Islam.
Para ulama Islam dengan tegas menyatakan pendedahan kejahatan dan kebaikan seseorang menjadi hukum wajib apabila menjadi saksi di mahkamah, bagi menjamin berlakunya keadilan kepada hakim yang membuat keputusan. Saksi bohong pula berdosa besar dan boleh dijatuhkan hukuman mengikut ukuran sesuatu tuduhan.
Sistem Demokrasi Moden melantik rakyat menjadi hakim bagi menentukan pemimpin atau parti yang memerintah negara. Mengikut ajaran Islam pula, urusan politik memilih pemimpin adalah amanah yang sangat besar. Maka pilihan raya adalah mahkamah rakyat dalam menunaikan amanah besar ini.
Semua negara yang maju menjadikan pilihan raya sebagai peluang untuk memilih kerajaan yang adil dan mampu memajukan negara serta membela rakyat. Setiap kelemahan dan kesilapan menyebabkan kerajaan dan pemimpin akan dihukum oleh rakyat dengan adil dan telus. Para pemimpin pula mempunyai maruah tinggi dan berjiwa besar, rela dihukum dalam pilihan raya atau meletakkan jawatan sebelum pilihan raya, kalau betul-betul bersalah atau walau pun tidak bersalah. Kalau sebab fitnah maka nilai tambahnya sangat besar, kalau pun bersalah maka peluang ini dimanafaatkan untuk bertaubat dan membaiki imej.
Dalam amalan Demokrasi adil, peranan media disemua lapangan, dikira sangat penting bagi pilihanraya yang adil, kerana mereka meletakkan media sebagai saksi kepada mahkamah rakyat untuk mejatuhkan hukuman dengan adil, kerana pengundi yang membuat keputusan adil wajib mendapat maklumat yang benar dan teliti. Adalah tidak adil bagi pengundi untuk membuat keputusan dengan kempen sebelah pihak sahaja dengan pihak satu lagi mempunyai peluang yang sangat terhad, atau peluang yang tidak sama rata, tidak saksama dan adil. Keadaan terus menerus menjadi penyakit lebih parah hingga merosakkan negara kalau berlaku politik wang rasuah bagi mengabui pemikiran rakyat.
Maka cara yang benar dan adil ialah media diberi peluang secara bebas kepada semua pihak yang terlibat dalam pilihan raya, sama ada kerajaan atau pembangkang. Sehingga bertaraf sama di sepanjang masa, supaya rakyat sentiasa melakukan muhasabah terhadap kerajaan, parti dan wakil rakyat mereka. Tuduhan yang benar terimalah hukuman dengan adil, tuduhan fitnah pula terimalah padahnya, sama ada melalui undang-undang pengawalan dan pengawasan media atau keputusan rakyat dalam pilihan raya.
Ada negara yang memberi peluang secara lebih terperinci, dibuka peluang semua pemimpin utama parti berhujah dalam media, samada secara debat atau berdailog secara lansung dan terbuka. Semua pihak bukan sahaja boleh menonton dalam kaca TV, bahkan boleh melibatkan diri dengan berbagai-bagai soalan. Seluruh rakyat boleh menilai secara langsung terhadap ketokohan dan peribadi pemimpin atau bakal pemimpin dengan lebih teliti, kerana memilih pemimpin adalah amanah yang sangat berat.
Selepas pilihan raya media tetap diberi hak sepanjang masa melakukan muhasabah bagi pihak rakyat dan negara. Pihak media yang salah laku juga boleh dihukum dengan tindakan undang-undang yang adil atau dipulau oleh rakyat.
Dalam sejarah Islam, apabila Khalifah Abu Bakar RA dipilih menjadi Khalifah selepas wafatnya Rasulullah S.A.W. beliau menyampaikan ucapan sulungnya :
“Wahai tuan-tuan !, Saya telah dipilih menjadi pemimpin kamu, pada hal saya bukanlah orang yang terbaik di kalangan kamu. Sekiranya saya berlaku baik tolonglah saya, sekiranya saya melakukan kesilapan perbetulkan saya, benar adalah amanah, bohong adalah khianat “.
Inilah contoh keterbukaan seorang pemimpin yang menjadi teladan, meminta semua pihak berlaku ikhlas dan berani, jangan mengampu sehingga berbohong, yang betul dibantu, yang salah diperbetulkan, yang silap ditegur secara beradab, kalau menjadi makhluk perosak maka diturunkan dengan cara setimpal .
Para ulama melaporkan dalam kitab-kitab karangan mereka, banyak contoh di zaman keemasan sejarah Islam, apabila penganutnya disemua peringkat, pemimpin dan rakyat bersikap terbuka memberi nasihat dan teguran menunaikan kewajipan muhasabah. Hasil penulisan yang berharga ini dipungut oleh para orientalis sehingga mempengaruhi perubahan Demokrasi Moden daripada Demokrasi purba.
Kita menyaksikan berlaku berbagai-bagai peristiwa dalam dunia terkini, sejak masa terdekat di abad yang lalu dan yang paling mutakhir, apabila negara-negara dunia yang bertanggungjawab sentiasa mengislahkan (menambah baik) amalan Demokrasi masing-masing. Demokrasi pilihanraya pula bukanlah semata-mata memangkah kertas undi, tetapi hak demokrasi berpilihan raya menjangkaui semua proses pendaftaran pengundi, peraturan yang adil, media yang bebas, pihak berkuasa yang berkecuali, sehinggalah kepada kebebasan rakyat memilih tanpa sebarang elemen rasuah yang boleh mempengaruhi mereka.
Di negara Eropah dan Amerika, mereka melaksanakan hak media menjadi saksi adil kepada rakyat, termasuklah juga di negara Asia Tenggara seperti Filipina, Indonesia dan Thailand. Rakyat menukarkan kerajaan berbagai parti silih berganti melalui pilihan raya, sehingga tidak ada parti yang boleh memerintah dalam tempoh yang terlalu lama apabila melakukan kesilapan atau mengalami kelemahan. Ada juga berlaku parti yang memerintah mengundurkan diri lebih awal, apabila dituduh dalam perkara besar, memberi peluang diadakan pilihanraya semula untuk mendapat kepercayaan rakyat seperti yang berlaku di Itali dan Greece beberapa bulan lalu.
Ada yang sekadar mendapat kepercayaan di parlimen sahaja dengan memberi hak tanpa paksaan kepada wakil rakyat termasuk daripada parti kerajaan yang memerintah. Ada juga presiden atau perdana menteri atau menteri kabinet meletakkan jawatan lebih awal. Semuanya berlaku apabila terdapat pendedahan media secara adil kepada rakyat dan semua pihak merasa bertanggungjawab menunaikan amanah.
Ada negara yang berani memberi kebenaran kepada Parti politik daripada media cetak sehinggalah memiliki stesyen TV yang boleh menyatakan dasar dan perjuangan dan perbezaannya dengan kerajaan dan Parti lain. Terpulanglah kepada rakyat untuk membuat penilaian sendiri, atau semua media ini diselia menerusi undang-undang yang mengawasinya.
Malangnya masih banyak kalangan negara membangun termasuk Malaysia, ada yang mendakwa sudah bertahap maju, pada hal tercorot, bukan sahaja tercorot dalam bidang ekonomi mengisi perut rakyat, bahkan tercorok juga dalam bidang minda kefahaman berpolitik sehingga membodohkan rakyat dengan kawalan media supaya berpihak kepada parti yang menjadi kerajaan sehingga rakyat menjadi jahil murakkab (jahil yang tidak tahu dirinya jahil dan merasa bijak). Maka berlakulah minda tertutup dan terkongkong. Mana-mana pihak yang menegur kerajaan termasuk dalam kerajaan sendiri pun tidak diberi hak yang sewajarnya untuk membuka minda yang bijak memperkasakan rakyat dan kerajaan sendiri. Maka jadilah kerajaan itu Maha Suci daripada segala sifat kekurangan, walau pun pemimpinnya adalah makhluk manusia, cuma berada di singgahsana dan kerusi memerintah negara berlagak seperti Tuhan.
Menyekat kebebasan media boleh melemahkan kerajaan sendiri kerana sentiasa syok sendiri, tanpa menyedari kesilapan dan kelemahan, atau menutup kelemahan dan kesilapan secara degil, atau sentiasa menipu diri sendiri menggunakan media, akhirnya tamat riwayat cara memalukan dan terkutuk sehingga telah mati tanpa taubat, dan berada dalam kubur terus dikutuk masyarakat yang dizaliminya.
Peranan media mengikut Islam ditempatkan dalam medan Jihad Akbar sekiranya berani menyatakan benar dan adil, menentang kezaliman, kerana pengaruhnya yang besar dalam masyarakat awam yang lemah. Banyak negara melahirkan tokoh media yang berani sehingga dibunuh dan dipenjara, seperti di negara komunis di zaman tabir dan kuku besi, negara barat dan negara Asia dan Afrika juga melahirkan tokoh Islah di kalangan media.
Bagi umat Islam kerajaan dan pemimpinnya adalah ujian dalam kehidupan dunia, sebelum dicabut nyawa dan disumbat kedalam kubur, memasuki alam akhirat. Maka menjadi hikmat besar apabila seseorang Islam disunatkan berwirid selepas solat dengan firman Allah SWT :
قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ (26) تُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَتُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَتَرْزُقُ مَنْ تَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ (27 ) آل عمران .
Maksudnya : “Katakanlah: "Wahai Tuhanku yang mempunyai kerajaan, Engkau berikan kerajaan kepada sesiapa yang Engkau kehendaki dan Engkau cabut kerajaan dari sesiapa yang Engkau kehendaki. Engkau muliakan sesiapa yang Engkau kehendaki dan Engkau hinakan sesiapa yang Engkau kehendaki. di tangan Engkaulah segala kebajikan. Sesungguhnya Engkau Maha Kuasa atas segala sesuatu. Engkau masukkan malam ke dalam siang dan Engkau masukkan siang ke dalam malam. Engkau keluarkan yang hidup dari yang mati, dan Engkau keluarkan yang mati dari yang hidup dan Engkau beri rezeki kepada siapa yang Engkau kehendaki tanpa hisab (batas)".
Menunjukkan bahawa Allah SWT tidak mengekalkan kerajaan yang memerintah selama-lamanya, sama ada adil atau zalim, yang kekal hanya kerajaan Allah yang mencipta dan memiliki seluruh alam. Kerajaan yang silih berganti adalah ujian menunaikan amanah dalam kehidupan dunia. Kerajaan yang adil menjadi teladan, kerajaan yang zalim menjadi iktibar.
Peranan Media wajib menjadi saksi yang adil kepada rakyat, menyatakan yang benar dan meyebarkannya dan mengkritik membina dan akhirnya mendedahkan kesilapan dan kezaliman, mengambil peluang fadilat sabda Rasulullah S.A.W. : ”Jihad paling besar pahalanya ialah menyatakan yang benar kepada kerajaan yang zalim “.
Kalangan ulama soleh menegaskan;”Orang yang diam menyembunyikan yang benar adalah syaitan bisu”.
Presiden PAS
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