vox populi small thumbnail 'Muniandy has not really lost his identity to someone. Instead he has been given a new one that he does not need nor want, nor did he ask for.'

Growing MyKad woes for kids of Hindu-Muslim birth

Paul Warren: We have come across identity theft. We have come across body snatching. We have come across kidnapping and hostage-taking. We have come across trafficking of slaves.

But this is something new. Muniandy has not really lost his identity to someone. Instead he has been given a new one that he does not need nor want, nor did he ask for.

He can go on with his normal life and business. Except he cannot go to any non-Muslim place of worship. He cannot do anything un-Islamic. Whoever and whatever for does one do this to him?

Malaysian: Whatever happened to "there's no compulsion in religion"?

Kyw: MyKads should be optional when it comes to religion. They put my religion as Buddhist, but I am not a Buddhist. Why should I tell the world what my religion is?

Artchan: Just ask Najib and his gang if looking at some cross will turn them to Christians. Surely their faith is not that weak. Real Muslims do not fear the cross.

Anonymous: It is incredible that in the 21st century we're still slaves to primitive creation mythologies. I would love to see an honest and intelligent debate on the value and validity of religious beliefs but sadly in Malaysia we're moving ever further away from reason or even morality (which of course does not require religion at all).

I highly recommend the recent debate between the religious (and amoral) Tony Blair and the atheist (and moral) Christopher Hitchens. Best quote (paraphrased) is from Hitchens - "Both the religious and the atheist are capable of good and bad deeds. But to get man to do truly evil things, you need religion."

X'mas directive: Likely overzealous officers' fault

Anonymous: What do they mean that the directive came from "overzealous officers"? Is this a case of passing the buck and getting someone to be the fall guy to take the blame for someone else's mistake? These are PM Najib Razak's aides. These are not some clerk and junior employees who know little about race relations, diplomacy and good leadership.

What is going on if his aides don't even know what their boss is all about? That is assuming that Najib would never have himself made such demands of the Christians hosting the tea party. If that is not him, then how come his aides, who do officially represent him, assume that that is what he would have wanted?

Something is not right. It is one thing to allot blame, but a bit too much when no one is actually taking responsibility for the directive. Whatever it is, the PM's Office cannot stay silent on this.

Phra Ong Chao: Okay, the directives were the fault of some overzealous officers to the PM. Does that mean it is okay for government officers to be overzealous so long as it is not the PM? Also, why is the PM surrounding himself with overzealous aides?

Ksn: After giving directives in this situation, official or unofficial, written or verbal, we are now taken for a ride and nobody wants to own up. What are the people supposed to believe? Where is the credibility of the PM's Department or the PM himself? What is all this charade about?

Anonymous: A tea party on Christmas day is to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. It is not a flimsy social event. It is definitely disrespectful to even suggest to your host to rearrange his decor and programme to suit you.

It is only right that the PM joins in the religious celebrations of all races and religions in Malaysia if he is PM for all Malaysians. Will Thaipusum be minus the kavadi and Wesak Day minus Buddha in forthcoming celebrations he participates in?

Every event has a reason for being and not merely for fun to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Let's not take Christ out of Christmas for if we do that, we are crucifying Jesus again.

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: Are the Christians so desperate to have Najib Razak and Rosmah Mansor at their Christmas party that they are willing to suppress their religious beliefs and practices just to appease a bunch of Muslim bigots? Why bother about the visit if the PM cannot even respect the Christian faith.

Christmas is about Jesus Christ, peace and goodwill so is the government suggesting that we only celebrate Santa Claus, snowmen and reindeers? Frankly, I am disappointed with the archbishop. He should have called the whole thing off if the PM's Office insisted on such ridiculous conditions.

While Christ teaches us to forgive, we should not be too free in giving up what matters about our faith lest we one day be even forbidden from using the word "Jesus" by religious zealots whom the PM seems to be condoning.

This has got nothing to do with politics but has everything to do with religious freedom, acceptance and tolerance. If we cannot understand this then all of us non-Muslims will woe the day that we gave up our rights.

MIC suggests datukship for football coach

Anonymous: Malaysian football coach K Rajagopal has done well. He has worked hard and with all races. The team loves him and FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) has trusted him with the job. He should be honoured with a datukship. He deserves it more than many people we know.

Ramakrishnan: Datukship is cheap. Rajagopal should be rewarded financially with a pension scheme and a house. He should be financially sound so that he can continue to contribute to the development of football. He should also be given a more prominent role in football development.

At the same time, there are a lot of dead woods in FAM who must be discarded. Malaysia can do well if the NEP is removed from sports.

Md Imraz Muhammed Ikhbal: Nowadays, datukships and any form of royal honoraries are bestowed on crooks and those who display the most despicable traits like betrayal and deception, as in the case of the crossover MPs in Perak.

Whenever we witness a despicable act or gross abuse of power by anyone of authority, be they an enforcement officer, judge, politician, minister, attorney-general, assembly speaker, etc, he/she is at least a datuk or carry some other honorary title.

Rajagopal has done so much for our football team and has brought fame to our nation in the arena of sports. He is perhaps revered by most already. So for heaven's sake, insult not this great man with a datukship title please.

Terminator: The datukship is not important and everyone knows that Rajagopal was the pillar of Malaysian football success. I would like to see concrete approach and action on fairness of our education system, more Indians in government posts, fully assisted Tamil schools, special discounts for poor Indians or Malaysians for buying house/cars, MyKads for Indians who haven't got it, special assistance for estate workers, fully assisted healthcare for the poor, and the list goes on and on...

Gigento: If Malaysian football had not deteriorated so badly over the decades, we would not have discussed datukship for an Under-23 coach.

 

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