Of value dilution, withering expectations and ...

It seems my expectations are withering by the day. Once, some of us curse the living daylights of one late Federal court judge. It does not stop there.

1. Words don't come easy. And this time it is not a song sung by FR David. It is more of looking and reflecting on what happened which, to me, basically rocked the very foundation of our pillars.
2. Yes, this is about the court's decision on the use of the word 'Allah' by Herald, a newspaper produced by Malaysian's Roman Catholics.
3. Others may choose to view the case and the issue from a different angle and point of view. I choose to look at it from our continual ability to dilute our age-old values. Actually, dilution is a mild word. It is more of breaking down our age-old values and mutual understandings.
4. Are we heading towards a secularist state? Are we going the way of rejecting or exclusion of religion and religious consideration from state affairs? To me, by allowing civil courts to determine what is right and what is wrong, especially with matters relating to religious considerations is a step closer to promoting a secular state.
5. All religions taught its believers to be better persons. I have not come across a religion which glorifies violence nor have I see any religion demanding its believers to destroy the world that we live in. In short, religions taught us to be in harmony with our surroundings.
6. Having said that, what are my thoughts on Roman Catholics using the word 'Allah' in their publication? Before I proceed any further, this posting is not meant to be provocative nor is it meant to create tensions from parties involved. If some of you have that pre-meditated thoughts, then it is better for you to vent off your thoughts elsewhere...
   
7. My first reaction to the whole issue is simple - I have never come across reading bibles (English) that mentioned 'Allah' as the supreme being. That said, I would stand by a simple statement - Quran has been handed down from generations to generations and the verses has always been in Arabic and translations of its verses are included.
   
8. The problem lies here - the Bible has been printed in many languages until it has lost its original meaning and on top of that there are many versions of the Bible and thus it is difficult to determine which is the original Bible.
9. The second reaction is that of confusion. If the Romans Catholics are allowed to use the word 'Allah' then is it a blanket approval for the Protestants, and other religious beliefs to use the word 'Allah'? Is the word 'Allah' becoming generic? All because the high court of Malaysia say so?
10. Some pounced on exclusivity. My reaction is again simple - why jump at exclusivity. In Kuran, there is a short verse mentioning that Allah does not begets nor is He begotten. That, to me is the Islamic exclusivity for Allah.
    
11. So, what is the solution? Are we letting the courts to decide on our religious beliefs and differences? The Herald editor has called for calm whilst TV3 in its Buletin Utama issued correction to their earlier reporting and now stated that Nik Aziz suggested scholars from both religion to it down and amicably resolve the thorny issue.
12. This is not the time to come out with rhetorics or gloating that can make matters worse. There are agent provocateurs who loved to see us divided and in disarray. It takes us years to build mutual trust and mutual respect but it can just take an instance to destroy the trust that we jointly build in this land we call Malaysia.
13. MSM and bloggers should play active role in diffusing tension. In this case, I would rather see religious scholars to sit down and discuss the issue with open hearts. If they cannot do that, then they are not "religious" enough to lead us in matters related to religions and beliefs...
14. And that leads me to comment on MCA's stand. Being politicians, it is better for MCA leaders to stay out and let the religious scholars sort it out. No need to make matters worse. Having UMNO lashing out on the issue is already bad enough...
15. It seems my expectations are withering by the day. Once, some of us curse the living daylights of one late Federal court judge. It does not stop there. The adverse comments continue even after his demise. Then, out of the blue, Karpal "Singh is King" remarked “He was one of the best judges we had, we can’t deny that,” and he continued “We are deeply saddened by his demise as he was a role model for us to strive to be successful in life,”
16. Based on Karpal's sattement (or is it eulogy?), it sets me asking, is Karpal being kind or is he stating teh facts? If he is just trying to be kind, then all is well. But if his statement is based on facts, then is Karpal implying that the late Judge is correct in his verdict that "rocked" the nation years ago? If the Judge was right, then why did thousands protested which ultimately leads to March 8, 2008? Are we all blinded?
17. Even if the Judge makes a wrong decision (based on facts laid out for his judgement), Karpal's statement that the Judge was one of the best we had frightens me. Imagine - if one of the best can make a monumental mistake, then what can we expect from those judges who are not "one of the best"? That is the reason for me to say withering expectations...
18. Last but not least, it is understood that the Government is appealing on the 'Allah' judgement. On this, this much I can say - if the Federal court is still dragging its feet to hear Perak's MB vs MB, then what chances do I have to see the higher courts accelerate its hearing on the appeal? Even if it did, and if the Government wins the appeal, does that make everybody happy? Will it not fuel more speculation and fuel my stand on withering expectations?
    

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are... Read More