Sinatra_Z - Where are the vigils for Mat Selamat?

An article in the Malaysian Insider that probably even bro Rocky won't agree too, hahaha. Oh well do read on.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/zaidel-baharudin/57306-where-are-the-vigils-for-mat-selamat

MARCH 24 — Many people were unhappy about the time when a few years back Teresa Kok, Raja Petra Kamaruddin and that female reporter (I fail to remember her name!) were detained under the Internal Security Act.

Rallies were organized, and people congregated in front of police stations demanding their release.

Even though the reporter was released 24 hours after being detained (which baffled even me) and the sassy MP was released a few days later, people nonetheless weren’t happy about it.

Perception was that the government was using this law to enforce their will upon people and for this the Internal Security Act must be abolished.

Politicians and activists argued that no human being should be held in jail in absence of a trial.

How can there be a law in which the government can simply put people in jail without a valid reason? Candlelight vigils were held in the streets and parks, while some shouted slogans.

Others read poetry; a few sang songs about justice, equality and human rights. For a moment people felt like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and perhaps Bob Dylan. They were there for a good cause, a noble cause which was to abolish the law that is so unjust, inhumane and wrong. So the whole campaign went on full force, with politicians donning the “Mansuhkan ISA” badge on their shirts, party vests and caps.

However long after the release of the people mentioned above, another soul was detained under the ISA and his name was Mat Selamat.

Unlike the last time around there were no candlelight vigils for him, no rallies nor was there any poetry or songs serenaded in the name of injustice that had fallen upon this man.

So what if he was not a politician or an activist, so what if he was a suspected terrorist, note the word “suspected” meaning he should be given a right to defend himself just like any other human being. But what was most peculiar, this time around the vehement call to abolish the ISA was suddenly silent.

Gone were the activists, the poets, singers and politicians. I don’t see vigils for Mat Selamat.

A general feeling

I think generally, Malaysians, the silent majority at least agrees with the ISA when used in a certain aspect. Take the example of Mat Selamat, apart from pointing out the hypocrisy in certain politicians and groups; the reason that question was raised (in regards to the absence of vigils) is to point out the lack of public anger or outcry.

The thing is not many would want to light candles for him because the public feels that indeed he should be in there, for the sake of security.

I think that Malaysians generally do understand that security is an issue and there is a need for pre-emptive measures. Nonetheless if it is misused or perceived to have an ulterior motive, only then the public disagrees.

I think the majority of Malaysians don’t really want to abolish the ISA. I think they prefer a change in the act.

Anti-terrorism law versus ISA

Some quarters are calling for an anti-terrorism law to replace the ISA. Before we go on further perhaps it is wise to first understand the definition of terrorism.

Terrorism is a form of tactic; it is to describe the use of fear and intimidation onto civilians as a way to send a certain message; blackmailing or pressuring a government into conceding.

People argue that since there is a need for pre-emptive action the ISA should be replaced with an anti-terrorism act, instead of detaining anyone who the police feel is a threat; this new law would only detain terrorists.

Suicide bombings or ramming an airplane into a building, though an act of terrorism, is not the definitive definition of terrorism. Rather, as mentioned before, it is actually one of the tactics used to instill fear and those who commit it is a terrorist.

However do consider this: say a politician or a religious figure who preaches to his followers hateful and insidious things that in turn inspire them to commit acts of terror, isn’t he too is a security threat, is he too not a terrorist?

Which is why Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyyah, though not convicted of any crime or act of terrorism, was detained. This is because to the Indonesian government, Abu Bakar Bashir though old and does not hold the knowledge of bomb making, is even more dangerous than Dulmatin or our very own Dr Azhari.

Dr Azhari may have been a bomber, but he was a lone warrior, while on the other hand this cleric has the ability to inspire ten other young men to follow the footsteps of Dr Azhari.

So to simply narrow down the definition of terrorist as the people who bomb or commit acts of terror is not sufficient.

By this definition the logic is that anyone who is perceived to be a threat or perceived to be able to commit, inspire, sponsor or support in any activity that may lead an act of terrorism can still be held under custody.

In which, it is the exact same thing as ISA but under a different name, so to me it doesn’t really make sense.

Amendment not abolishment

It is interesting to note that Raja Petra Kamaruddin was released from the ISA after a court order was obtained, Habeas Corpus. Now for the argument that the ISA is an archaic law that detains people without trial, or a law in which the enforcement can use at their own whim, is not entirely true.

There is a legal route in which a detainee can be released from ISA. Whether it goes far enough that is to be debated.

The thing is, though I support the Internal Security Act, even I agree that the detention of those mentioned earlier on don’t make much sense.

Indeed it is a law that has its purposes and had served us in terms of ensuring security in this nation; alas it is not a perfect one.

It was after all designed to combat communism, times have changed and though we still do face the threat of terrorism, this nation is no longer in an emergency.

Thus instead of taking a drastic and unwise move of abolishing it (or replacing it with another name) it would be much wiser for us to re-examine some of the angles in the ISA.

Perhaps there should be a cap or a maximum amount of years in which a person can be detained. If the government can’t seem to build a case to persecute the person after so many years, he/she should be released.

Or perhaps rather than a two year review of detention it should be done annually so that more chances are given for the detainee to fight for his/her case. Maybe we should re-examine the process of habeas corpus, that one can take the fight to the courts of appeal, to me it is these sorts of things that needs to be amended or reviewed, I am for the amendment to be tabled in parliament and debated.

Conclusion

The fact is that the security and stability that we have today was not achieved by burning candles by the street or renditions of poetry highlighting universal love. It took dedication, vigilance and hard work in preventive measures and enforcements to achieve it.

The same vigilance we had in which forced Dr Azhari and Noordin Mat Top to flee as their network and support group were dismantled before they could commit their terror acts in this nation.

Sure some may point out that it is easy for me to say so when it is not my family who is being detained under the ISA. Indeed the emotional grief and challenges a family face when a loved one is detained is daunting.

However, judgement must not be made based on emotions, but rather based on what

is best for the nation. Indeed it may sound cold and heartless but the fact is reality is harsh and like it or not we have to take actions and measures.

I am not for the abolishment of ISA; I think there are valid reasons for it to be there and a purpose for it to serve. I however am supportive of amendments to the act to ensure it is not to be misused, for it to be fairer and more effective.

Sinatra_Z - Of Spineless Indians

This was years back when in UTM, a story told by my senior in the debating club.
His name was Rajen and he told us of the first day he entered the club.

So there I was first time entering the class, I was a bit early so they tell me to sit down first and some of them went off. So there I was waiting quietly and listening to these two Chinese dudes who later would be my mentor.

Note ( I forgot the names of his Chinese seniors who would be his mentors)

They were talking about a recent debate in which the conversation goes something like

Chinese Dude 1 - So yeah it was a problem when the adjudicator board was deciding to do it that way.

Chinese Dude 2 - Didn't you object?

CD1 - Well of course I did, I told him that this was a huge advantage of the MMU team.

CD2 - What did he said?

CD1 - Well Kumar (not the actual name) said the board has decided.

CD2 - Bloody hell, bias to the MMU team no?

CD1 - Well you know those Indian Bastards, always ganging up.

CD2 - Dude watch you word (pointing out to Rajen)

CD1 - Oh sorry man, slip of my tongue. Apologies yeah.

Rajen - Ah no it's okay, I'm cool with it.

CD1 - What do you mean you're cool with it?

Rajen - I mean I know you didn't really mean it so yeah, I'm cool with it.

CD2 - Dude he just stereotyped your race as bastards, no way you can be cool with it.

CD1 - Yeah man, what sort of an Indian are you? You know what, even though the MMU boys may be arseholes I have no right to say such a thing as Indian Bastards.

CD2 - Yeah dude! Don't be an apologetic Indian.

CD1 - In fact, you know what, compare to those arseholes in MMU, you're an actual Indian bastard, in fact you are even worse cause you're a Spineless Indian Bastard.

Rajen - Uh.....

And that boys and girls, is a lesson of life! An Awesome one too.


Moral of the story,
No way I'm going to be a Spineless Apologetic Malay.

Sinatra_Z - Pakatan Rakyat to Pakatan Riot

MARCH 17 — I find it rather interesting on the insistence of Pakatan Rakyat politicians saying that unlike in Barisan Nasional, in Pakatan Rakyat all parties are equal.

They then go on about how it is a true coalition of the Rakyat’s hopes and dreams.

Today we see DAP and PAS politicians hugging each other, calling each other brothers/comrades and campaigning side by side.

Heart-warming it may seem, but rather absurd when you think that just 2 years ago there was no such thing as Pakatan Rakyat.

The thing is, before the elections many people have forgotten that DAP vehemently denied that they were in any form of alliance with PAS.

Just before the elections, though the opposition parties agreed on fielding one candidate for each seat, DAP were fighting with PKR over seat allocations in which percentage of non Malay voters were high.

But that was before; back when “Middle Malaysia” was yet to be concocted and DAP wasn’t focusing on the Malay votes.


http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/zaidel-baharudin/56495-pakatan-rakyat-to-pakatan-riot

Sinatra_Z - Of Houses

There are double storeys,
apartments, flats, bungalows and condominiums.

Though these days with the quality of an apartment, the difference between it and a condo gets blurrier than ever.

Some prefer it to be near the workplace,
as yours truly can walk to work.
While others,sacrificing their time live far away,
where the price is cheaper in getting that dream house they had always wanted.

A nice neighbourhood or the ones with the garden.

I'm thinking of owning one,
a bachelor's pad one can say, pretty cool.
I'd decorate it with crap and what not, spartan as hell.

But in the midst of it all,
with properties in KL booming thanks to my second home programme.
Perhaps that idea of owning a house nearby is quite hard.

But,
upon thinking about it in the middle of the night,
can't help but think of a legendary perverted white haired ninja who once said.....

"a place where someone thinks of you...that's home"

Now that sir,
that is good stuff.

And you know what is even better?

When someone ties a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree...

Sinatra_Z - Lessons from Taugeh

When I was a kid,
I wasn't much of a fan when it comes to vegetables, just like many other kids.
But that doesn't mean I won't eat any,
it's just that like dramas, I prefer to avoid them if I could.

Taugeh was probably the most dreaded vegetable of them all, I have memories of painstakingly removing them one by one when eating "char koey teow"(I hope I spelled that right).

Just so happen that one day,
while on this camping trip, a scout's camping trip organised by the school.
While I was happily setting up tents and gathering sticks and what not with my fellow scouting comrades, suddenly it started pouring, typical of a Malaysian thunderstorm.

My tent was flooded, everyone's tent was flooded too and everything was wet, soaking wet to be exact, from towel to underwear.

So there I was in the rain standing in line with empty plates in my hands awaiting turn for lunch.
To make things seem less miserable and more fun I pretended to be a soldier on the front line awaiting for his ration. Helps a lot.

When my turn came, they scooped in rice, fish cooked tauchu style which I quite dislike and lo and behold a steamingly hot taugheh with salted fish.

Though reluctant at first,
I decided to dig in anyway since I was hungry as hell and part of being a front line soldier is to dig in bad rations (I was still pretending you see).

In minutes,
all of it was gone, a squeaking clean plate, every little bit of taugeh was taken. That was the best rice/meal I have ever had in my entire 14 years life span. Unimpressive as it may sound do bear in mind that this taugheh meal beats McDonalds, in which for a 14 year old McDonalds is like Kobe Beef.

I learned several things from that experience.

1. Only in certain conditions can you appreciate certain things.

2. Often things, experiences, gifts or items are wasted on those who either lack wisdom or simply have no time to actually stop and think about it.

3. There's no point in serving the best meal in the world to a person who is full.

4. There is no point in giving something precious to a person who doesn't know or simply refuse to appreciate it.

5. Imagination helps in improving your surroundings.

6. A meal, is not judged by what ingredients it is made of, instead it is judged by the effect it brings to the person who is eating it. For that plain rice may tasted brilliantly delicious to me, yet at the same time a slightly overcooked steak was distastefully despised by someone in a fancy restaurant somewhere.

Something to think about during your next meal.

Good Night Folks

Sinatra_Z - Menangkap Berudu Di Dalam Longkang

Soalan : Tuliskan sebuah karangan mengenai tempat tinggal anda. (Tidak melebihi 1200 patah perkataan).

Nama : Zaidel Baharuddin, Kelas : 5 Berlian

Seperti kebanyakan rakyat Malaysia saya juga mempunyai kampong.

Walaupun pada hari raya saya selalunya akan pergi ke Ipoh untuk menziarahi Opah saya, akan tetapi kampung dalam penulisan saya kali ini adalah dalam erti kata tempat saya membesar, dari segi umur dan saiz pinggang.

Namun kampung saya tidak seperti kebanyakan kampung rakyat Malaysia yang lain sesungguhnya ianya tidaklah mempunyai dusun durian, sawah padi mahupun sumur di ladang untuk orang menumpang mandi, ianya hanyalah sebuah taman perumahan yang mempunyai Rukun Tetangga.

Saya selalu mengatakan kepada rakan-rakan saya ketika di pengajian tinggi yang kampung saya walaupun boleh dikatakan Bandar adalah jauh lebih hebat dan buas dari kampung mereka, walaupun tidak mempunyai dusun durian, sawah padi dan sumur yang boleh orang menumpang mandi.

Ianya yang terletak di hulu negeri cukup berhampiran dengan hutan dan memang mudah untuk terserempak dengan binatang-binatang hutan seperti harimau, gajah, monyet, zirafah dan unta.


http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/zaidel-baharudin/55067-menangkap-berudu-di-dalam-longkang