Anwar caught between devil and deep blue sea

comments     Published     Updated

YOURSAY ‘Going by his waffle, all I can say is that Anwar wants to have it both ways.’

 

Anwar breaks silence on Penang's '40 words ban'

Onyourtoes: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, how do we ensure “there is no high-handedness, that there must be respect and understanding between all communities in the issue” when the enactment is there for implementation.

 

And what do you mean by the religious departments have to give “compelling cases and arguments” before they take action. What is compelling cases and arguments here and to whom they must give those compelling cases and arguments to?

 

There was no problem in the past because the “power that be” has chosen not to enforce it. Now if they want to enforce it, what are you going to do about it?

 

We cannot administer the country based on whims and fancies of individuals in power. It is called rule of law not rule by grace or personal discretion or pleasure.

 

Sali Tambap: In the first place, how was the Penang Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004 came about? Obviously it was bad law. Obviously it infringes on the right of freedom of worship. Why in the world was the enactment passed?

 

The obvious culprits are the MCA and the Gerakan lawmakers. They are partners in the BN. Did they strenuously object to this law?

 

They did not, for they are towkays who were interested in doing business. ‘Leave the politics to the Malays and allow us to do the trading’ - typical of Chinese mentality in Malaysia and therefore can never be trustworthy political allies.

 

They will not die for political ideals as long as they are allowed to make money. Isn’t that right? The enactment therefore either had their blessing or they were browbeaten to acquiesce. Umno would not be able to pass this law if the MCA and the Gerakan put their lives objecting to it.

 

Heavenly King: ‘Allah’ is a national issue or rather a national disaster, so PM Najib Razak has to state his stand. Keeping silence only goes to prove that he is a useless leader of only one community and the laughing stock of the whole world.

 

A prime minister's primary job is to ensure the people's welfare is looked after, the nation is prosperous and peaceful, and the people harmonious.

 

The useless PM is doing the opposite - allowing himself and his cohorts to loot the nation's wealth, encourage division and hatred among the people and ... there are too many crimes to mention here.

 

Pawancheek B Marican: Anwar's stand is correct. The enactment is valid as it is passed pursuant to article 11(4) of the federal constitution. Secondly, the law is state civil law, which means that it applies to Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

 

However, the prosecutor must prove its case in court - the magistrate's court and not the syariah court. The accused are entitled to defend themselves through counsel. Anwar is asking that there shall be no abuse of the law or enforcement thereof by the authorities.

 

Hero325: Since it is a state matter and Selangor is ruled by Pakatan Rakyat, the de facto leader must say something clearer than this so-called "high-handedness" by Jais (Selangor Islamic Religious Department).

 

Basically: I agree Anwar is a spineless jellyfish. What's wrong with DAP's proposal to amend the enactment if it’s unconstitutional?

 

But he is right that anything Pakatan does will be attacked to the hilt and they are smart to play it cool. Why harass only CM Lim Guan Eng over Penang's banned words? What about other BN states?

Why don’t MCA ask them to amend their enactment first? Why is it only an issue in Selangor and Penang? Let's see what happens if a church insist on using ‘Allah’ in a BN state.

 

Amused Malaysian: It’s sad to say that Anwar, who was instrumental in getting the opposition to join ranks and give BN a scare in two elections, is a spent force.

He talked a lot but did not say anything. Just gracefully retire and let the youngsters take over.

 

Abasir: Going by his waffle, all I can say is that Anwar wants to have it both ways. (OK, that didn't come out right).

 

What I mean is that he wants to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds. So Christians who are desperately seeking 'keadilan', please note you are knocking on the wrong door.

 

Kangkung: Anwar did not break his silence on Penang's '40 words ban' - he only talks a lot without saying anything to save his own skin.

 

With 77 percent of the Malays successfully brainwashed by Umno, there is nothing Anwar or PAS could do except to play safe. Umno knows this and they will continue to exploit this issue.

 

War Child: I normally abstain from commenting on religious issues. In this current debate, I am in favour of caution on Anwar's part.

 

Despite of what former law minister Zaid Ibrahim had said, Anwar should avoid arrest and conviction and another jail term, which could bar him from politics for five years after the jail term.

 

This has happened to Lim Guan Eng and Umno will be too glad to do the same to Anwar.

 

Lim Chong Leong: These so-called state religious departments are all puppets of Umno out to sabotage the Pakatan state governments.

Fact is, Pakatan cannot do anything about this issue because many of the less educated Malays are conned by Umno that this is actually an issue threatening them.

 

If Guan Eng takes the bold stand, he will be taken in for sedition, again. If Anwar does the same, he will be branded a traitor to the Malays. The ‘dumnofication’ of the Malay since Mahathir days have been very effective.

 

Optimist: It appears Anwar's comment on this issue is vague and very carefully worded. It is to ensure he does not get sanctioned. So, who do we turn to for justice?

 

The proposal to set up a tribunal consisting of subject matter experts, both domestic and international, to thrash out this matter once and for all will be the way to go.

 

But then, the powers-be will not permit that. So it’s back to square one. It looks like it is checkmate for all non-Islam professing citizens!

Kim Quek: There are two issues here. The first: is there legitimacy in prohibiting non-Muslims from using ‘Allah’? Since there seems to be irreconcilable difference in opinion in this country over this issue, I suggest a dialogue/meeting of religious scholars at home and abroad be convened here to resolve the issue.

 

Second issue: in the event that there is legitimacy in asking for exclusivity for this word, should the prohibition be made into law? The answer is no, because such law will be ultra vires the Federal Constitution: Articles 8, 10 & 11.

 

Hang Babeuf: Sorry, Anwar (and others too)! Please stop saying that this "name of Allah" dispute is just a diversion, a distraction of attention, from the real, basic and important issues - like the rising cost of living.

 

Yes, that is a big issue. But so too, in its own right, is the 'name of Allah' question. An even bigger issue, it is about the nature of the Malaysian state. Of Malaysian society and history. Malaysian citizenship and citizenship rights.

 

Isn't that a big issue in its own right? And one that needs to be faced squarely and honestly, without evasion?

 

1braincell: Never underestimate the despicable depths to which a cornered rat will sink in its desperate attempt to stay alive and cling to stolen power.

 

Anwar knows these Umno rats very well. He was once part of the gang. Can't blame him for being cautious now. Armchair pundits who are not in the political game can shoot their mouths off but that won't help rid us of the cancer called BN...

 

Vijay47: I think Christians and other non-Muslims should not protest against the increasing number of words they cannot use. Just let Jais, Mais, Pais, or Kais continue with this word-ban frenzy.

 

In a short while, nearly all Malay words will be prohibited and since we then will not be allowed to speak and no doubt write Malay, we will be compelled to send our children to English-medium schools.

 

And happy days will be here again.


The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .



Malaysiakini
news and views that matter


Sign In