I write in English and cannot seek to address concerns of most in Malay community because frankly I cannot completely understand their irrational emotionality. I have been writing for 12 years now, and almost weekly in Malaysiakini. I chose then and will therefore continue only in English. Others are invited to translate, if needed.

So far, by God’s grace and maybe their inability to fully comprehend what I write; I have not been invited for a meeting by ‘any outsiders’. Nonetheless, about two or three times in the past, Malaysiakini editors have objected and refused to upload what I have submitted. They have the first right of refusal; though.

My hope is that this column does not meet a similar fate; but, I do feel compelled to write so that we do not allow the recreation of, or the rise of another Donald Trump-like, or Rodrigo Duterte-like personality in Malaysia. They both appear to be supported and blinded by right-wingers who have a very narrow view of what each of their countries stands for, and seem to overlook basic humanitarian good values and processes.

Basic courtesy and due processes should always be respected for all humans.

False theology of ‘Dumno’ leadership

In my last two columns I took Ustaz Abdul Hadi Awang to task about his false theology on many matters public and political which he has spoken and even kept quiet about. This column does the same to ‘Dumno’, my pet name for Umno (and pronounced ‘dumb-no’) leadership when referring to their poor quality of leadership of this still ‘Melayu party’ of Malaysia.

Recently, the acting deputy president of Umno said, “Allah appointed Najib Abdul Razak as Prime Minister!” I expected cries of protests from the other Malay parties and Umno members, but I do not remember any real public or respectable contradictions or disagreement. Not even from PAS which claims and proclaims their Islamic credentials. Maybe Brunei’s Islamic model (with a sultan above laws) must be good enough for Malaysia.

My only question to all who speak and understand at least Form 5 quality English is: Why such theological ignorance and the lack of knowledge about the affairs of God? How can anyone, including the new prophetic voices, make such a claim? Worse still, why not question the ignorance of Islamic theology of an acting deputy president who made such a false claim?

Theologically, regardless of one’s specific bias or unbelief, no one can agree absolutely with such a statement. Why? The last ‘idiocrat’ who spoke like that was former US president George W Bush who said, infamously; “You are either with me or against me.” My simple counter-argument: Only God, regardless of whom or what we think he or she is, can speak like that; never human beings.