The poisoned chalice left behind by BN

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YOURSAY ‘With the Allah issue, there are two options open to Pakatan.’

 

'Want equality? Ask Pakatan to end Allah ban'

        

FellowMalaysian: The suggestion of calling the Selangor government to amend the Islamic State Enactment Act banning the word 'Allah' may have been initiated by Culture and Tourism Minister Nazri Aziz but seriously, Pakatan coalition parties should at least discuss this option as a possible solution to resolve this 'godly' issue.

 

Pakatan leader Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly mentioned that the use of the word 'Allah' should not be restricted to the sole domain of the Muslims as Christians living in the Arab world have been using this term for centuries.

 

With the menteri besar imbroglio resolved recently, the timing may be just right for the ruling coalition parties to ponder on this nascent idea since Selangor is the state most affected by the 'Allah' issue.

 

But the suggestion could only engender into a working possibility if each of the three parties involved treat this proposal with an open mind and made themselves free from preconceived prejudices.

 

It sounds like a worthwhile possibility to explore.

 

Tholu: Nazri has a point here. Amendments to unjust and discriminating ordinances and state enactments, particularly those that are repugnant to the non-Muslims' and Malays’ freedom of expression and religion, should start from states that are now ruled by Pakatan.

 

They should prove to the rakyat that their clarion call for "justice for all", regardless of their racial and religious background, is not mere rhetoric.

 

Of course, I reckon that it will be an uphill fight initially but drastic reform of government policies is what Pakatan promised to the rakyat.

 

Paul Warren: They left behind a poisoned chalice whose poison would not be released under their watch. But the poison is now being released.

 

There are two options open to Pakatan Rakyat. See the poison for what it is and do what Nazri is asking you to do. Never mind the ramifications.

 

Or let the poison continue to work its way until you die. Those laws were intended to prop Umno against PAS as the party to defend Islam. But possibly unknown to them then was the poison that was planted alongside it.  

 

Kim Quek: Nazri supports former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s contention that Malays have become beggars because they are spread over several political parties.

 

If such logic is true, then the Chinese in MCA, Gerakan, PKR, DAP, SUPP, SPP, etc, should be grouped together to form a party, lest they will be bullied by other races.

 

Similarly, Indians should also be grouped together from MIC, PPP, PKR, DAP, etc; and the same goes for Dayaks, Kadazans, etc.

 

Then, we will only have The Malay Party, The Chinese Party, The Indian Party, The Dayak Party, The Kadazan Party, etc?

 

And, needless to say, The Malay Party will fight for Malay interests, The Chinese Party for Chinese interests, The Indian Party for Indian interests.

 

Dont Just Talk: Kim Quek has said it all and if the original Umno which mutated to Umno Baru under Mahathir think and play politics the same way over 57 years and expect different results during this 21st Century, they are dreaming.

 

The Chinese communities do not expect the Malays under Umno Baru to beg but expect their leaders to practice competency, accountability, good corporate governance and nothing short of that.

 

Tun Apa Nama is right when he said that Umno Baru must shed its bribery image because it is a brand associated with all BN parties, a perception in the mind of all Malaysians.

 

Multi Racial: Indeed, Umno is failing because old and new politicians are thinking the same way. They will never change and will continue to believe the old way of politicking can still work.

 

Pakatan themselves are also embroiled in a similar problem because of majority of those in PAS are still having the same old thinking. In this time and era, they are still thinking of implementing hudud. This creates fear not only among non-Muslims but also Muslims.

 

Unfortunately, the majority of the Muslims dare not stand up and put pressure on politicians to reform themselves. Until that happen, extremists are going to rule the day.

                       

The good news is that following the 25 eminent Malays who publicly declared against extremism, things are picking up. Many have come forward to support the Eminent 25.

 

I am afraid this is not going to be enough, not until the masses make their presence felt - that they are moderates and they want extremism and racism to stop.

 

Odysseus: Nazri, if you truly believe Malays are beggars in this land because there are three Malay political parties, then you should ask Umno to close shop and ask its members to join either PAS or PKR.

 

That's the ultimate proof of your love for the Malay race by sacrificing your own party.

 

Jae K: The Act was passed by the then BN state government without any objection from the federal government. It is therefore for the federal government to rescind the Act nationally.

 

If Nazri feels that this is an unfair Act, he can certainly submit a proposal to abolish it when Parliament sits again.

 

Apa Ini?: Can we all grow up, please. Only the Malays and Muslims of the extreme sort insist on the Allah issue.

 

Everyone else can and should use the word as long as they are used with reverence and in worship and among Christians who use Malay as their language of worship. These extremists are confused, not us.

Nazri unwittingly confirms no equality under Umno


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